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Margaret Bautista-Smith, a 58-year-old kindergarten teacher at Cicero Elementary School in North Syracuse, New York, has been placed on leave following allegations of assaulting a student. Bautista-Smith is accused of hitting a five-year-old girl on the arm on November 26, causing "redness and swelling," according to Cicero police. The incident, which reportedly took place in a classroom, did not require the student to receive medical attention.
The school's nurse, administration, and a special patrol officer from the Cicero Police were promptly notified about the incident. Bautista-Smith was arrested on December 2 and charged with child endangerment and harassment. She is expected to appear in court on December 17 at 4 p.m.
The school has not released any further information about the incident or Bautista-Smith's current employment status.