River Bend teacher faces charge

Accused of using excessive force on six-year-old student

NEW ULM -- A 36-year-old River Bend Area Learning Center teacher is accused of malicious punishment of a child following a Feb. 19 incident at the school.

According to a complaint filed in Brown County Court on Aug. 4, New Ulm Police received a Confidential Student Maltreatment Reporting Form on Feb. 25 regarding the school incident involving a 6-year-old student and a teacher, Stephanie Ruth Wurtzberger of Sleepy Eye.

A gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child charge was filed against Wurtzberger in Brown County District Court Aug. 4, according to court documents. A court appearance was set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 22.