Wauwatosa Teacher Put 12-Year-Old In Headlock: Report

WAUWATOSA, WI — A 68-year-old Brookfield man working as a substitute teacher has been arrested and charged after police say he put a 12-year-old in a headlock during the spring semester.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, Glen Fink was arrested and has been charged with one count of physical abuse of a child related to the June 4 incident at Whitman Middle School in Wauwatosa.

Authorities say Fink was on the job as a substitute teacher at Whitman on June 4 when he placed the 12-year-old in a headlock and twisted the child's arm behind his back during an incident in the classroom.

A WISN-TV report stated that the student, Deron O'Rourke was given the responsibility of holding a roll of tape for a teacher. When Fink came in the classroom later and asked for the tape, O'Rourke didn't hand it over. The situation escalated and then became physical, O'Rourke's mother said.

The Wauwatosa School District confirmed that Fink was no longer employed with the district.

According to the criminal complaint, another teacher on the job that day saw what happened, and told police they saw Fink put his left arm across the child's upper check as he said, "there is no one here to see it."

Fink is out on a $500 signature bond and is due back in court on Aug. 29 on his preliminary hearing. If convicted, Fink could face up to 18 months behind bars in addition to any fines he may incur.