Machael Spencer-Edwards, a principal at Public School 202 in Brooklyn, N.Y.’s East New York neighborhood, was arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly beating a 7-year-old student.
According to the New York Daily News, Spencer-Edwards was arrested on charges of assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child because of an incident March 13, when the student was reportedly disruptive in class and hit a teacher. Police say that Spencer-Edwards, who has been at the school since 2013, kicked and punched the boy.
The principal is now working “away from students,” according to the New York City Department of Education.
“This alleged behavior is deeply disturbing, and has no place in our schools. This principal has been removed from the school and reassigned away from students,” the agency said in a statement. “We are providing additional guidance and ongoing support to the school community.”
According to the Daily News, the principal was released without bail. Last year, Spencer-Edwards made news when he wouldn’t allow students into the school’s annual pajama party unless they actually had on pajamas.
Read more at the New York Daily News.