Idaho special ed teacher arrested for alleged student abuse

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A special education teacher at an Idaho elementary school was arrested on allegations of physically abusing preschool-age students, police said.

Lincoln Elementary administrators told a Caldwell police officer assigned to the school they were concerned that several children were being abused by teacher Kerry Black, the department said in a statement.

Classroom aides witnessed Black abuse ``her students by hitting, spanking and forcefully turning their heads,'' between Jan. 17 and Feb. 10, according to the statement.

Black was arrested at her home Friday and charged with five counts of injury to a child and five counts of battery, police said.

According to a school district statement provided by police, Black was placed on leave pending an investigation and will not be returning to the classroom.

Black, who was no longer in custody, couldn't immediately be reached for comment Saturday. It was unclear if she had an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

The school's website says it has more than 400 students in preschool through fifth grade.