An Illinois preschool teacher is facing felony battery charges after she allegedly assaulted a 3-year-old girl. Lisa Jacobs, 44, was at St. Ambrose School in Godfrey prior to her arrest on December 6, 2024. Jacobs allegedly abused the student on December 3. The child received injuries, and Jacobs resigned.
Per an email from parish pastor the Rev. Steven Janoski, obtained by the Alton Telegraph, he and St. Ambrose Principal Robert Baird learned of the alleged incident on December 3 and put Jacobs on administrative leave pending an investigation. Now Jacobs faces jail time.
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The teacher reportedly had a history with the child.
According to court documents obtained by KSDK, Jacobs intentionally picked up a 3-year-old girl and dropped her from 5 feet off the ground. The child sustained “bodily harm” during the alleged incident. The charging documents indicated Jacobs had previously threatened or perpetrated physical abuse toward the victim but did not indicate how.
The pastor and principal acted quickly.
After learning of the incident, Janoski reached out to parishioners to disclose information about the alleged assault. He indicated that after an internal review into what happened, the parish turned the case over to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children and Family Services.
“Mr. Baird and I acted quickly and decisively when the situation was presented to us. Our priority is the safety of our children and we will always do what is necessary to ensure that safety,” he wrote in part, per KSDK. “Please keep all those involved in this situation in your prayers. As we come to the end of this Feast of St. Ambrose, we ask his intercession for our Church and School that we may know God’s healing mercy.”
Jacobs had worked at St. Ambrose for a long time.
According to a Facebook post from April on the school’s page, Jacobs identified herself as a St. Ambrose alum from the class of 1995. She wrote she would begin her 13th year as a teacher at the school in August. She began as a teacher’s aide and worked up to being full-time teacher.
“I have had the pleasure now of teaching PK3, PK4, Kindergarten and 2nd grade. I also helped in our After-Care program,” she shared. “My husband Ryan and I have been married for 14 years. We have two wonderful and very energetic daughters, Kayli, who is 12 and Brianne’ Bree’ who is 8. We enjoy going to Cardinals and Blues games and vacationing during the summer months.”
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Many people praised Jacobs on Facebook.
The post had several comments from former students and parents who appeared to love the teacher.
One wrote, “Mrs. Jacobs is the best OF THE best! I attended St. Ambrose with Mrs. Jacobs and am blessed to have her teach my daughter!”
Another person agreed, writing, “My boys and I absolutely loved having her as a teacher! St. Ambrose truly has an amazing staff!!!”
According to Illinois law, if convicted of a class 3 felony, Jacobs could spend up to three years in prison and face a $25,000 fine.
