Oct. 29, 2025
SPARTA, Wis. — A Sparta Area School District employee has been charged with felony child abuse following an alleged incident at Southside Early Learning Center earlier this month.
On Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, the Sparta Police Department received a report of possible child abuse that allegedly occurred on Friday, Oct. 10. After investigation, 30-year-old Melanie C. Hinz, a special education teacher listed on the district’s website, was identified as the suspect.
Sparta Police report that on Friday, Oct. 24, investigators and officers located Hinz at Southside Early Learning Center. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Monroe County Jail, where she was booked on a charge of child abuse — intentionally causing harm.
According to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 27, Hinz was working with a 5-year-old special education student during gym class when the incident occurred. The complaint alleges that during a physical struggle, Hinz slapped the child in the face, leaving visible red marks. The child’s mother discovered the marks when she arrived early to pick him up for a doctor’s appointment.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the incident in a corner of the gymnasium not fully visible to cameras for approximately two minutes. The child later told investigators, “Mrs. Hinz hit me with her hand,” and pointed to his left cheek, saying she hit him “hard” and “more than once.”
Hinz initially told school officials the child had struck her first, causing her to “see stars” and possibly suffer a concussion. She claimed she pushed the child away to create distance, which she said resulted in the marks on his face. Investigators noted inconsistencies in her account and others involved.
The complaint also revealed that Hinz was not the child’s usual aide during gym class. She had switched duties with another staff member who was pregnant and concerned about the child’s history of physical outbursts. School Principal Diane Everson-Riley acknowledged that mandated reporting procedures were not followed, with Child Protective Services notified four days after the incident.
On Monday, Oct. 27, Hinz appeared via video from Monroe County Jail for her initial court hearing. She was released on a $10,000 signature bond with conditions prohibiting contact with the child, the child’s family and their residence. However, Judge Richard Radcliffe declined the state’s request to ban Hinz from Southside Early Learning Center, stating that employment decisions would be left to the school district.
The Sparta Area School District continues to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation.
Given that the victim is a juvenile, no identifying information will be released.
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