Officer Jonathan Hardin was caught on a school surveillance camera grabbing the child and placing his arms around his throat, before lifting him up until the child’s feet stopped kicking and he fell to the ground.
Doctors said the child suffered “an injury to the brain” due to lack of blood flow.
Louisville Metro Police Department Sergeant Arnold Rivera testified in court that the video is consistent with strangulation.
The video shows the boy lying unconscious on the ground for a short time. Instead of calling for medical help, Hardin opted to handcuff the child and isolate him for the entire day, according to WLKY TV.
Hardin then took the boy home without informing his parents about the incident.
School surveillance cameras have caught the officer committing several acts of violence in the past, WLKY TV reported.
Previous incidents included punching a 13-year-old in the face, causing the student lacerations and facial swelling, as punishment for cutting in line at the cafeteria. He then charged that student with menacing and resisting arrest.
Hardin is facing charges of assault, wanton endangerment, official misconduct and false swearing for both incidents.
He remains out of jail on bond and has been suspended from the school without pay.