Teacher's assistant accused of pushing child down to floor at elementary school

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DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police in DeKalb County said they are investigating after a paraprofessional at McNair Discovery Learning Academy was arrested on simple battery charges.

The incident happened Dec. 7.

Carlas Smith, 47, is accused of using her hands to push a 10-year-old student in the chest, causing the victim to fall to the floor. The woman initially approached the child in a provoking way, according to a warrant Channel 2 Action News obtained.

The warrant did not offer any other details on what led up to the incident.

Smith was arrested Thursday and later appeared before a judge.

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Some parents said the woman was friendly and competent, especially on field trips. Her arrest is something they never expected.

"I think it's upsetting," one parent told Channel 2's Tom Regan.

Regan reached out to DeKalb County Schools for comment on the teacher's arrest, but he did not hear back as of Thursday evening.