Video: Karate instructor cleared of abuse charges

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SUFFOLK -- A karate instructor Thursday was found not guilty of child abuse.

A judge made the ruling after hearing several hours of testimony.

Susan Bateman was charged with child endangerment for kicking a student in the abdomen more than 200 times.

Bateman's supporters say the kicks last November were just taps and part of an endurance exercise.

Police say the kicks caused internal injuries and may have broken one of the boy’s ribs.

Afterwards, Bateman said she's glad it's over and that it's been a rough year.

"I've lost 20 pounds," she noted

She and her husband own Jeff Bateman Karate on Portsmouth Blvd.