Justice Served? Court Testimony Alleges Physical and Verbal Abuse By Elmbrook Board Member Preetha Kurudiyara
Witness testimony suggests unstable, reckless and abusive behavior by Preetha Kurudiyara towards her family.
The trial for Elmbrook board member Preetha Kurudiyara concluded on 11/13/24, delivering a not guilty verdict for a felony charge of substantial battery. But official court testimony shows deeply concerning behavior by Preetha, especially given her position as a Elmbrook board member.
During her testimony, Preetha clearly admitted to throwing a bottle towards her husband, and this is what she told police as well. During her trial, she claims she wasn’t wearing her glasses and couldn’t see clearly.
Did Preetha’s testimony attempt to shift responsibility for hitting her husband with a bottle by talking about a change in seating position?
Prior to throwing the bottle at her husband, Preetha was upset that her eldest child was going to take a shower instead of cleaning her room.
Her husband testified that when the daughter went to go shower, Preetha used her heavyset frame to “bodycheck” the bathroom door shut, hitting her teenage daughter on the head with the door.
The daughter’s testimony aligns with this:
When Preetha was questioned about pushing the door shut on her daughter, Preetha’s response is that she “might have fallen towards it.”
She also says she did not know her daughter was struck with the door and claims that she was hit with the door.
Preetha’s husband testified that he told her it’s not okay to hurt their child.
Preetha’s daughter also said she heard her Dad say something similar.
Preetha’s husband went to move Preetha away from the bathroom door.
Preetha’s husband continues:
In her testimony, Preetha says that she “flew backwards.”
Preetha’s husband testified that Preetha had gotten up by herself and he had walked away and sat down. He opened an app on his phone to document this incident and at that point he was struck in the face by the 1-liter bottle.
It was previously reported that Preetha’s husband was in an abusive relationship with her but he had not reported prior abuse.
Her husband told the family he was going to the emergency room and wanted their daughters to leave the house with him. According to his testimony, Preetha ushered one daughter back in the bedroom to stay.
Preetha’s husband said he contacted a friend to drive him to the emergency room. Per testimony, Preetha came out and sat in the car. Was this potentially an attempt to block him from leaving?
Preetha’s daughter testified that Preetha “ran outside” and told the friend to “not get involved.”
While going to the hospital, 911 was called and police were dispatched to their residence.
Preetha was subsequently arrested and charged with domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon.
Treating Others With Respect
During her campaign 2023 campaign, Preetha called her name being mispronounced “disrespectful and reprehensible” and that “we should take care to be considerate and inclusive of all.”
Meanwhile, Preetha’s husband’s testimony suggests that her choice of words was much less respectful the night of her arrest.
Per court testimony, Preetha’s husband is a working physician who financially supports their family.
Employment
In court, statements were clear that Preetha has been a stay at home Mom. Testimony indicated that her last full time work was in 2011, with some contract work afterward.
The Elmbrook website lists her as a pediatrician and information listed on her campaign website (now defunct) references a 20-year career as a pediatrician. She testified that she received her medical degree in 2002, so a 20-year career would have her working through 2022.
After her arrest, Preetha continued to mention being a pediatrician. While in an Elmbrook meeting in March 2024, she said “as a pediatrician, I think most of the medical community would agree with me.”
Application of Pediatrician Background
In court testimony, Preetha says that she has significant experience working with children.
Preetha’s daughter testified that she wanted to shower because she had been exercising earlier that day, and that desire to shower appeared to escalate Preetha’s interactions with her family.
Despite Preetha’s experience working with children, when Preetha was questioned about how exercising earlier in the day might have helped her daughter release stress, she “was not qualified to speak about that.”
Time Management
During her campaign in 2023, Preetha herself referenced being a physician and knowing how to “juggle [her] time” which is shown below.
Meanwhile, she appeared much less confident on the stand. She stated that homeschooling her kids was “very difficult.”
In addition, life events were “a lot” only one month after posting online about her ability to juggle her time.
She goes on to say dealing with home repairs and living in a small apartment caused fights “for days.”
Has Anything Changed?
After Preetha’s arrest in November 2023 and court-ordered time away from family, is Preetha reflecting on her behavior? Is she using this as an opportunity to make better decisions in the future?
Preetha was charged with a hit and run in June, and community members noticed a comment she made in early November 2024 in response to her upcoming trial, which is shown below.
As a member of the Elmbrook school board and Treasurer of Elmbrook’s annual budget of ~$139M, does her behavior set an appropriate example for a community volunteer? Does it show good judgement and self-control?
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