[user104658]

It seems to be quite common for assaults in America, unless there's serious injury, for it to be left down to the individuals involved to decide if the police proceed with charges... and in the case of a minor that would fall to their parent or guardian. They can continue with charges if they feel like there's a danger to the public though and in this case they are so, seems the police believe (quite rightly IMO) that this guy is a risk to other kids in his "care".

I doubt he'll face jail or anything major but my hope would be (and possibly why the police are pressing charges) that he'll get a charge on his record that means he can no longer work with kids. Which he definitely should not be. It would be worrying if he was saying he lost his temper... but it's clear from what he's saying that it's an even MORE worrying scenario where he actually thinks it was fine and the only problem was that it was in public. He's clearly been smacking these kids around all along. This is just the first time he did it publicly and someone caught him on camera.