Fifty-three-year-old Toni Hill of the 300 block of West Greenwood was formally charged with aggravated battery and unlawful restraint this morning in Morgan County Court.

Toni Hill is accused of restraining the victim at a home in Murrayville. Morgan County state’s attorney Chris Reif says the evidence presented to the prosecution does not support that the incident was a kidnapping.

"There are several elements that are needed to enhance it, if you will, from an unlawful restraint to a kidnapping," says Reif. "Based upon my review of the elements necessary, the jury instructions and the case law, again, the evidence provided to me at this point supports the charges for which we have filed."

Reif says the aggravated battery charge stems from physical abuse that took place during the incident. He says no weapons were involved.

Nineteen-year-old McKenzie Hill of the 700 block of West Beecher was also arrested for kidnapping and robbery following the incident. Reif says no charges have been filed against her.

Information provided by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office immediately after the incident indicates the McKenzie Hill was with Toni Hill when she allegedly forced the victim to drive herself to a residence in Murrayville and kept her there by force for about a half hour.

The victim resigned from Murrayville Elementary as a teacher’s aide following the incident.

Toni Hill pleaded not guilty to the charges. She’s represented by public defender Thomas Piper and is due to appear in court again March 5th.