A Meadowdale High School teacher has been indicted on a charge of assault after allegedly punching a 16-year-old student with mental and physical impairments.

Georgia Cox, 49, a special education teacher, is charged with assault as a caretaker on a functionally impaired victim, a fourth-degree felony. According to a release, Cox punched a 16-year-old mentally and physically impaired student with a closed fist.

Cox is specifically certified in dealing with and instructing children with special needs.

The victim was in the cafeteria eating breakfast at the time of the alleged assault. The victim, who has limited mobility and limited verbal skills, occasionally would swat at teachers or other students in order to gain attention.

“This defendant is trained and certified on how to interact with mentally and physically handicapped children. Instead of the quality instruction and education this student deserved, the defendant physically attacked this special needs child - conduct that is inexcusable,” said Montgomery County prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr.

Cox is currently out of jail on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 12.