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LAFAYETTE, Colo. -- A Colorado middle school teacher accused of assaulting a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance will be charged with child abuse and assault, the Boulder District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
Angevine Middle School physical education teacher Karen Smith, a 20-year employee of the Boulder Valley School District, is accused of forcefully making a male student stand for the Pledge by lifting him to his feet by his jacket and removing him from the classroom, officials said.
Smith is charged with child abuse (recklessly with injury) and third-degree assault.
Smith was processed at the Lafayette Police Department on Wednesday and was released with a summons.
Principal Mike Medina sent a a letter to students' families.
Smith is on paid administrative leave from the school district.