A Milwaukee Public Schools paraprofessional is facing a felony child abuse charge after allegedly grabbing a 12-year-old student by the arm and neck during an after-school program, leaving a scratch that broke the boy's skin. Margaret Catherine Galligan-Nordquist, 37, was charged September 16 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with one felony count of physical abuse of a child with intent to cause bodily harm, stemming from an incident at Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the student told investigators that Galligan-Nordquist grabbed him by the arm before grabbing him by the neck on September 15, leaving a visible scratch that broke the skin. Court records cited by the paper indicate Galligan-Nordquist admitted to police that she grabbed the student by the arm. As reported by CBS 58, the criminal complaint states the student had called Galligan-Nordquist an expletive before the physical encounter unfolded.
Galligan-Nordquist made her initial court appearance on September 18, where a judge set a $5,000 signature bond and determined she would be represented by a public defender, per the same account. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, September 25, according to online court records. Her attorney, Aaron R. Anderson, did not respond to a phone call or email seeking comment, and Galligan-Nordquist could not be reached for comment.
School Alerted Police and Family the Same Day
Trowbridge Street School principal Andrew Reiser sent a letter to parents and staff on September 16 informing them that a student had reported being scratched by a staff member. The letter said the school notified the Milwaukee Police Department, Child Protective Services, and the student's family the same day, and that the school is investigating the incident internally. Parents and staff with questions were told to call the school office at 414-294-1900.
Kevin O'Connor, media relations and external communications manager for Milwaukee Public Schools, said in an email that the district could not comment on personnel matters but confirmed the individual is not currently working in the building. As of Tuesday, Galligan-Nordquist was still listed in Trowbridge's staff directory, the report's account notes.
Trowbridge School Details
Trowbridge Street School enrolled 236 students in grades K3 through 8 during the 2023-24 school year, according to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card data. The school has aquaponic grow towers and a butterfly garden, and partners with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, per the same state data.
What Wisconsin Law Says About Physical Contact in Schools
Wisconsin law draws a sharp line between disciplinary force and criminal conduct in schools. Under Wisconsin Statute § 118.31, corporal punishment intended to inflict physical pain as discipline is prohibited in public schools, though staff may use reasonable force to quell disturbances, defend themselves or others, or remove disruptive pupils, according to the Wisconsin Legislature. The case involves a physical-abuse charge and an allegation that the student suffered a scratch that broke the skin.
If convicted, Galligan-Nordquist could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to the Journal Sentinel's report.
Part of a Pattern of MPS Staff Discipline Cases
This is not the first time Hoodline has reported on alleged physical misconduct by Milwaukee Public Schools staff this year. In May, a Wedgewood Park staffer was pulled from the building after a student accused the employee of grabbing and pushing him, prompting notifications to police and Child Protective Services. In August, a security guard and coach at Lincoln Center of the Arts Middle School was criminally charged with child grooming and sexual misconduct involving multiple students. Together, the incidents reflect a string of staff discipline matters the district has faced this year.
