Hernando teacher faces child abuse charges after hitting student

A veteran Hernando County art teacher won't be reporting to class tomorrow morning 64 year old Sandra had since -- charged with felony child abuse. After deputies say she hit the student after an argument. It happened this afternoon at central high school in Brooksville. As this gently as it were large shows us her union is standing by her denied saying hats I had to defend herself.

At the central high campus on Wednesday night things are very peaceful under the watchful gaze of a giant sized bear near the front entrance. But that was not the scene earlier today and Hernando deputies say 64 year old art teacher Sandra has six. Who goes by sandy hit a student in the face at least two times after the student -- several obscene names. They say the student received a minor injury to his upper lip that didn't require medical attention. They say after being hit other students grabbed from behind pulling away from -- with the entire incident caught on camera and in front of multiple witnesses. Catholic and teacher since 1988. Who began at central when it was built lives here don't along dirt path northwest of the equipment could -- state forest. A man met me at the gate but would not cooperate when I -- we did speak to her. It's fantastic wouldn't come out to talk to me she referred me to the union representative he paints an entirely different situation involving the art teacher. This is an excellent teacher is that Joe -- cello says -- that a popular and well liked teacher -- no blemishes on her multi decade teaching career. Had no other choice when confronted during holy duty with a male student is any time a student -- years seen. Curse words directed at individual you know those are words of anger and he had directed not one set but several cents at her. And then step towards her. Several times in this last time they were very close. I Telus does he bill has -- out of Hernando county jail he says when he did though she had only one thing undermined the very first -- she says to me when she came out of jail when I bailed her out was. Oh my goodness what going to do for the -- for the kids spastic central -- teacher of the year for 2010. Is facing a single charge of child abuse -- great bodily harm. She's on paid leave until her court cases worked out it will return for a court hearing on June 7 in Brooksville Peter Bernard news Channel 8.