Mt. Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that 28-year-old Annika Markesha Vinson, of Clinton Township, was arraigned on charges related to her alleged behavior while working as a para-professional at an elementary school in Clinton Township.
It is alleged that on October 8, 2025, Vinson was working as a para-professional in the special needs classroom at Cherokee Elementary. She twisted a child’s arm and pinned the child to the ground with her knee. It is further alleged that she hit another child’s arm. Child Protective Services and Clinton Township Police were notified. Vinson was fired from her position. Neither of the children suffered injuries from the alleged assaults.
On January 2, 2026, Vinson was arraigned before Magistrate Ryan Zemke in the 41B District Court in Clinton Township, MI on two counts of Fourth-Degree Child Abuse, each a one-year misdemeanor.
These are the maximum charges available under the law based upon the evidence presented to date.
Magistrate Zemke gave Vinson a $5,000 personal bond. She is scheduled for a Pretrial Hearing on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., before Judge Jacob M. Femminineo at the 41B District Court in Clinton Township.
“The allegations in this case are serious and deeply concerning, particularly because they involve a position of trust with vulnerable children. The safety of the residents of Macomb County remains my highest priority,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther E. Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
