A Florida woman who was recently bestowed a 'Teacher of the Year' award has been arrested after allegedly physically abusing a student.
As reported by NBC News, Caroline Lee, a teacher at the Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts, was awarded the honor of 'Teacher of the Year' last month in the Duval County Teacher of the Year.
However, celebrations turned sour when the district announced 60-year-old Lee's nomination on their Instagram page in a now-deleted post.
As detailed in a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrest report, a student commented on the post and questioned whether this was the same teacher who used a racial slur during a class last year. Lee even responded to the comment admitting that she did use the word, but argued that it was in the context of a class in which she was teaching Of Mice And Men.
Per the police report, Lee interpreted the comment as a "threat" and summoned the student for a conversation in her classroom - allegedly closing the classroom door in the process.
After the student denied making a threat, "Lee reached across the table and struck" the student with her palm, according to the report. The strike resulted in the student having a bloody nose.
The report adds that Lee then called the student an expletive and started to hit her on the head.
Following the alleged assault, the student confided in guidance counselors and the police were called.
Per the police report, Lee has denied closing the door and physically harming the student. Despite claiming to feel threatened by the student's comment, she chose not to report it and instead chose to speak with the student in an attempt to show her that she was a "nice person", the report reads.
Due to the student's physical injuries and video evidence, Lee was arrested.
On Tuesday she told NBC News: "I am in shock. I never saw this coming... The truth will prevail."
In response to the arrest, Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Diana Greene called the alleged incident "beyond disturbing".
"What is alleged should never occur — ever — especially in a school setting. I have no tolerance for adults who harm children, especially adults in a position of trust," Greene said. "We will cooperate with all investigations, and pending those results, we will take the actions necessary to stand up for and protect our students."
The school's principal, Tyrus Lyles, described the arrest in a message to parents as "very disappointing".