Former Knoch special education teacher charged with hitting 8-year-old student

A former special education teacher in the Knoch School District is accused of hitting an 8-year-old student in the face.   

State police have charged former Knoch Elementary School learning support teacher Carly Miller with simple assault and harassment after they say she slapped the 8-year-old student in the face for allegedly biting her on Nov. 27.

"I guess he did bite her before she struck him," said Trooper Bertha Cazy.

"Once those reports were told to us or received by us, we did file charges through the magistrate's office against her for the action," Cazy said. 

As soon as the district was made aware of the alleged incident, the 35-year-old teacher was immediately suspended, the child's parents were notified and an internal investigation was launched. 

"When you allegedly engage in conduct that threatens the safety of a student, from a school district perspective, that's as serious as it gets," said district solicitor Thomas Breth.

Miller has since been fired from her position. 

Terry Emigh is a grandfather and says nothing justifies a teacher ever hitting a student.

"It should never have happened. It's outrageous," Emigh said.   

District parent Jennifer Vicario agrees. She says teachers should be held to higher standards. 

"It was disheartening," she said. 

Miller has appealed her termination with the district.