South Elgin High teacher injured trying to break up fight

A 17-year-old from Bartlett faces felony charges that she injured a teacher at South Elgin High School who was trying to break up a fight.

Alana M. Jones, of the 100 block of Hillcrest Lane, is charged with aggravated battery to a school employee, according to police.

Jones also faces a misdemeanor battery charge from the fight itself.

If convicted on the felony charge, punishment ranges from probation, a fine and community service to up to five years in prison.

South Elgin Police Sgt. Mike Doty said Jones was arrested about 11:30 a.m. Monday following an altercation in which Jones and another female student were fighting during physical education class.

Doty said a female teacher tried to break up the fight, but Jones continued fighting and injured the right hand of the teacher, who later was treated and released from a convenient care center.

“In this particular case, this student was told to stop in regards to the fight. The student knew the teacher was trying to break them up but continued to fight anyway,” Doty said, adding that the teacher’s right hand was severely swollen, but there were no broken bones.

Bail was set at $20,000 for Jones, and whether she posted bond was not immediately known. She is due in court Jan. 24.

Doty said Jones was a student at the school, but could not specify her grade level. It was not immediately clear what Jones’ status was at the school.

Elgin Area School District U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders was not available for comment. A message left with South Elgin High School Principal Melanie Meidel was not immediately returned.