From Chief P.K. Johnson
Millbrook Police Department
On October 3, 2024, Millbrook police received a complaint from a parent of a Millbrook Middle School student stemming from an altercation that occurred between a 13-year-old student and an educator. The parent stated that her son and a teacher had a verbal altercation, which resulted in the teacher, later identified as Austin R. Dorberth, a 27-year-old Millbrook resident, approaching the student and physically shoving him with such force that the student dropped his cell phone and came out of his shoes. The parent stated that the child’s cell phone was damaged during the altercation. An Alabama Uniform Incident/Offense Report was completed and the parent was referred to the Millbrook Municipal Court Magistrate, who upon reviewing the facts alleged in the complaint, did issue warrants for Dorberth’s arrest for the offenses of Harassment and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.
On October 4, 2024, Austin Dorberth surrendered himself to Millbrook police, who placed him under arrest on the warrants issued by the Millbrook Municipal Court with regard to this case. Dorberth was processed and later released on bond, pending his appearance before the Millbrook Municipal Court.
I am limited in what I can comment on due to the nature of this case involving a minor child. Our School Resource Officers are aware of this case and have worked closely with school officials and the parent of the student involved in this investigation. We are aware of the existence of a video of this incident, which has been circulated on social media. The images depicted are obviously disturbing. We are aware that Millbrook Middle School officials, as well as the Elmore County Board of Education, are handling their part of this investigation from a personnel standpoint and we will defer to them for any comments with regard to alleged offender’s status with the school and his employment.
An arrest has been made in this case and it is schedule for disposition in the Millbrook Municipal Court. I understand that people that are concerned with the allegations that have been made in this case, rightly so. I would encourage all parties involved in or following this case to allow law enforcement, school officials and the Court to pursue this investigation and prosecution with the facts and evidence that has been presented in this case.
