Coon Rapids Woman Charged After Allegedly Striking Nonverbal Student in Champlin School

Coon Rapids Woman Charged After Allegedly Striking Nonverbal Student in Champlin School

By MinneapoliMedia Staff

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (August 7, 2025) — A 56-year-old woman from Coon Rapids is facing criminal charges after allegedly hitting a 10-year-old nonverbal student with autism while working as a paraprofessional at a Champlin school.

According to court documents and police reports, Joyce Monwon, who was employed to support students in a special education setting, is accused of striking the child in the head two to three times while the student was lying on the ground during a school day in early May.

The incident was reported to Champlin Police on May 7, 2025, after a school employee witnessed the alleged assault and intervened to remove the child from the situation. The child was reportedly nonverbal due to autism and unable to advocate for himself.

When questioned by authorities, Monwon acknowledged that the student had refused to participate in a scheduled walk and was lying on the ground waving his arms. She admitted to becoming frustrated, though she did not directly admit to striking the child.

Monwon has been formally charged in Hennepin County with:

• Gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child
• Misdemeanor fifth-degree assault

If convicted, she could face up to 454 days in jail.

Monwon is not currently in custody. She has been issued a summons and is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on August 21, 2025.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Students

The case has raised concerns about the safety and protection of students with disabilities in school settings, particularly those who are nonverbal and cannot easily communicate mistreatment. The Champlin school district has not publicly released the name of the school or the current employment status of Monwon.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Champlin Police.

MinneapoliMedia