Photo by Miki J.

A 29-year-old elementary school teacher was arrested last Thursday and charged with attempted second degree cruelty to children, D.C. Police’s Youth and Family Services Division, School Safety Branch announced today.

Cameron Paul Lewis of Hyattsville, Md. taught at Turner Elementary School on Stanton Road Southeast, according to a release.

Police say Lewis grabbed a third-grader so hard “that it a left a swollen mark in the shape of a handprint on the boy’s arm,” The Washington Post reported. The incident occurred after the boy would not leave the classroom after instructed.

“D.C. Public Schools takes school security and student safety very seriously,” says Michelle Lerner of DCPS. “The school based staff followed all protocols in this incident.”

Lewis’ hearing is scheduled in D.C. Superior Court on Jan. 11. Under D.C. code, if convicted, Lewis could face a fine, imprisonment of up to ten years, or both.