DeKalb teacher’s aide arrested after allegedly pushing student

Carlas Smith

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Carlas Smith

A DeKalb County School District teacher’s assistant was taken into custody after allegedly pushing a student, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The incident happened last Friday at the Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur.

Carlas Smith, 47, made contact of an “insulting and provoking nature” and “pushed her hands into the chest” of a 10-year-old, according to the arrest warrant, which was obtained by Channel 2. The contact caused the student to fall to the floor, according to the warrant.

It’s not clear what led up to the situation.

Smith was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, and appeared in Magistrate Court on Thursday after she was arrested by school police, according to the news station.

She has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the district’s investigation.

In a statement, the school district said, “The safety of our students is always a high priority in DCSD, and we are committed to protecting all students. We will not tolerate employee misconduct on any level and will move swiftly to correct any situation that puts our students in harm’s way.”

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