Former teacher’s aide considers plea in child abuse case
Robin Merle Popour, left, appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court Tuesday. Her attorney, Trenton Stupak, also appeared for the proceedings. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Robin Merle Popour, of Gladstone, faces one count of third-degree child abuse, a felony punishable by two years in prison or probation for up to five years, following a December incident at the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) Learning Center. (Photo courtesy of the Delta County Sheriff's Office)
Robin Merle Popour, left, appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court Tuesday. Her attorney, Trenton Stupak, also appeared for the proceedings. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)
Robin Merle Popour, of Gladstone, faces one count of third-degree child abuse, a felony punishable by two years in prison or probation for up to five years, following a December incident at the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) Learning Center. (Photo courtesy of the Delta County Sheriff's Office)
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ESCANABA - A former teacher's aide at the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) Learning Center is considering a plea deal offered by the Delta County Prosecutor's Office.
Robin Merle Popour, 54, of Gladstone, faces one count of third-degree child abuse, a felony punishable by two years in prison or probation for up to five years.
Popour appeared in the Delta County 47th Circuit Court Tuesday for a pre-trial conference, which marked the deadline for plea negotiations between Popour and Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman.
According to statements in court, Wickman said both parties discussed a new offer Tuesday morning that would consist of Popour entering either a guilty or no contest plea, resulting in an agreement of a 12-month delay of sentence.
If Popour successfully completed the delay and obeyed its conditions, a conviction of assault and battery would be entered upon sentencing. An additional two years of probation would follow, along with a 25-day jail sentence.
Attorney Trenton Stupak -- who represents Popour -- told 47th Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos there was a misunderstanding in the plea offer regarding the probation period. Stupak requested Popour take Tuesday night to decide, and Economopoulos granted the request.
Popour can either accept or decline the plea offer by today, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. If she declines, Popour could plead guilty as charged or proceed to a jury trial.
The former teacher's case was previously adjourned Aug. 17 to allow Wickman time to discuss the plea offer with the family of the special needs student who was allegedly abused by Popour.
The charge Popour faces stems from an incident that took place on Dec. 17, 2025, when an alleged altercation occurred between Popour and a special needs student at the at the DSISD Learning Center.
Classroom aides reported that prior to the incident, they had seen the student interact inappropriately with a harness in a wooden cubby. Aides reported Popour as saying, "I don't care if he hits me, I am taking his harness."
After some other alleged interactions occurred between Popour and the student, a witness said Popour allegedly “grabbed (the student) and threw him against the window."
The police report on the incident states Popour proceeded to throw the student into his chair and "threatened the student to 'not touch her or she will slap his hands.'"
Witnesses also reported seeing the student and Popour screaming.
In the following days after the incident, an aide in the classroom noticed bruise marks on the student where Popour allegedly grabbed him.
According to one aide, Popour had previously made alleged remarks of harming the student, including, "’If that kid touches me, I will f***ing hit him back. I don’t care if I lose my job over this."
According to DSISD Superintendent Kristina Hansen, she and the center’s administration were notified of the incident Dec. 18. Hansen said the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
An administrative investigation was conducted on Dec. 19, and Popour was subsequently terminated.
Popour was released from the Delta County Jail on a $5,000 cash/surety bond on Jan.17.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 148, or svogelmann@dailypress.net.