Highland Park High School educator put on leave following domestic battery arrest

A Highland Park High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave after she was arrested for an alleged domestic battery just days before the school year was set to begin. 

The Wauconda Police Department arrested Bridget Fahrner on Sunday, Aug. 9, public records from the Lake County Circuit Court show. 

According to Lake County records, Fahrner was charged with two counts of domestic battery, one involving bodily harm and the other physical contact. Both are Class A misdemeanors.

Wauconda Police Department Commander Heather Cognac told The Record the alleged victim in the incident was a minor. 

In an email to the Township High School District 113 community on Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Chala Holland said the district became aware of Fahrner’s arrest on Monday and Fahrner was “immediately placed on administrative leave per standard procedure.”

“Fahrner will remain on administrative leave to give both the court and District 113 time to complete their respective investigations,” Holland wrote.

“District 113 has no further information other than publicly available arrest records.”

A D113 webpage lists Fahrner under Highland Park High School’s World Languages Department. The Chicago Tribune previously reported that Fahrner has taught languages in the district since at least 2015 and served as the D113’s “Equity Coordinator” in 2018. 

Cognac said Wauconda police responded around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday to a residence in the 200 block of Oak Bluff Court. Sara Avalos, director of communications for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, confirmed with The Record that the address was Fahrner’s home. 

According to Avalos, police responded to the residence after an individual reported to police they had received a text from someone alleging that Fahrner had put her hands around the victim’s neck. 

The victim later allegedly told police that Fahrner had hit him with a paintbrush, grabbed him by the neck and held him under a faucet, Avalos said. The victim allegedly told police that Fahrner had put him in a chokehold but he was still able to breathe, Avalos said. 

Officers allegedly observed red marks on the victim’s jaw and neck, watermarks on Fahrner’s clothes and a witness corroborated the victim’s version of the events to police, Avalos said. 

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office petitioned for Fahrner to be held in jail pending her trial.

A judge denied that petition and Fahrner was released from custody on Tuesday on pretrial conditions including that she have no contact with three individuals and a residence, court records show.  

Police have previously been to the home for reported domestic disputes allegedly involving Fahrner, Avalos said.

The first day of class for D113’s 2026-2027 school year occurred Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Holland directed individuals to contact the district’s director of security, Lane Linder, if they have additional information to report, and students in need of support should contact the district’s counseling department chair, Jen Ginopolis. 

Individuals can also submit a concern anonymously through the D113 Tip Line by texting at (844) 224-1521 or through the district’s web portal.

This story was updated with additional information at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Aug. 12.

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