On January 21, 2015, the Superior Police Department received a report of an assault that occurred at the Kennedy Elementary School in Superior. The report alleged that a 7 year old student had been assaulted by Patrick O’Donnell, the school’s Principal and the District Superintendent.
Officers from the Superior Police Department thoroughly investigated the incident and uncovered a second incident captured on video from December 11, 2014. The 7 year old student was not injured during the incident. The Superior Police Department is working closely with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and anticipates filing charges of Child Abuse and Aggravated Assault on Mr. O’Donnell.
The Superior Police Department takes violence on campus very seriously, recognizing that schools should be safe places, and will continue to investigate reports of school violence vigorously.
Mark Nipp, Chief of Police
School Board Update:
Following an executive session with the district’s legal counsel, the Superior School Board Friday voted unanimously and instructed the Board President to give a letter of temporary reassignment to home with pay to Superintendent Patrick O’Donnell.
The school district will continue to cooperate with the Superior Police Department in their ongoing investigation.