Wed Jul 02 05:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite formatted as a news article:

**Summary:**

A Harrisburg School District mother, Surelis Moquete, has filed a federal lawsuit against former Lincoln Elementary School teacher Dawna Holbert and the school district itself. The lawsuit alleges that Holbert physically assaulted Moquete’s kindergartner on November 15, 2024, by pushing her to the ground after she asked to use the restroom. Holbert was criminally charged with simple assault in January and subsequently fired by the district. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the child’s physical, emotional, and medical harm. Police investigation revealed conflicting accounts of the incident and a history of concerning behavior by Holbert, including alleged admissions of guilt and reports of yelling and threatening behavior towards students.

**News Article:**

**Harrisburg Teacher Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Assault of Kindergartner**

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Harrisburg School District and former Lincoln Elementary School teacher Dawna Holbert are facing a federal lawsuit filed by Surelis Moquete, the mother of a kindergartner who claims Holbert physically assaulted her daughter last November. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. Middle District Court on June 26th, alleges that Holbert pushed the young girl to the ground after she requested permission to use the restroom on November 15, 2024.

Moquete is seeking unspecified damages for her daughter’s physical and emotional harm and related medical expenses. Holbert, 57, of Lewisberry, was previously charged with simple assault by Harrisburg Police on January 23rd in connection with the incident. She was placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated from her position on February 11th, according to a school district spokesperson. She awaits arraignment in the criminal case.

The lawsuit accuses Holbert of excessive force, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent retention.

According to police, the incident began when the student asked to use the restroom, and Holbert denied the request. Holbert allegedly told the school nurse that she became frustrated, grabbed the student’s arm, causing her to trip on a chair and hit her head on a desk, resulting in a laceration near her eye. The student told the nurse Holbert pushed her with both hands. A teacher’s aide, present during the incident, said she didn’t witness the event but took the child to the nurse, who reported the girl was sobbing and bleeding near her eye.

The aide also reported that Holbert was crying after the incident and admitted she would get in trouble for putting her hands on a student. The nurse told police Holbert said she takes full responsibility.

Another staff member told police she often heard Holbert yelling at students and acting in a threatening manner, while the aide reported Holbert sometimes slammed or threw papers. The school principal reportedly warned Holbert previously about her tone in the classroom.

In a statement released after Holbert was charged, the Harrisburg School District said: “The Harrisburg School District is disappointed to share that a teacher from Lincoln Elementary School is facing a misdemeanor charge for the alleged assault of a student…As soon as the District learned of the alleged assault, protocols were followed, including immediately reporting the matter to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and placing the teacher on administrative leave. The District is fully cooperating with the investigation.”

The case is ongoing.

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