Teachers and other staff members at City Springs Elementary/Middle School are defending a tutor accused of injuring a 7-year-old student as he took him to the school's office last week.
Timothy Korr, 25, was fired from his job and arrested and charged with first and second-degree child abuse, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and neglect of a minor. Police said the child suffered "major trauma to the head."
RELATED: Charges filed, employee fired after student injured at city school
But on Monday, City Springs staff sent out a collective statement titled "The Tim Korr We Know," saying information circulating about Korr is "untrue."
"We are devastated that a child was so seriously injured at our school," the statement read.
But, the statement continued, "we cannot sit by silently as his character is so horribly misrepresented to the public."
The statement described Korr as a dedicated tutor and volunteer coach who loves children and would never intentionally hurt a child.
"Tim Korr is a loving, dedicated educator who gave above and beyond daily for the children of our school," the statement read. "For four years, we have known him to be remarkably patient, honest, kind and generous with children and colleagues. He would do anything for our community, especially our children."
School employees also said in the statement that the school has been portrayed inaccurately.
"This one tragic accident should not overshadow the excellent work done on a daily basis by our students and all of us," the statement read.
A lawyer for Korr said last week that his client believed the boy had a gun.
RELATED: Lawyer: Tutor thought child had gun
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