School principal accused of punching student

LAUREL, Md. (AP) — A middle school principal has been indicted on charges of child abuse and assault after prosecutors say he punched a student.

Forty-five-year-old Dwight Jefferson of Fort Washington was indicted last week on charges of assault and child abuse. The Prince George’s County State’s Attorney said Wednesday in an email that Jefferson is being held on $75,000 bond.

Jefferson’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Prosecutors say on Sept. 23, Jefferson, principal of Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, stopped a student in school and ordered the student to go to a back room. There, authorities say, Jefferson punched the youth twice in the stomach, and once in the face.

Authorities say the boy returned to class, where teachers saw his eye was swollen and notified administrators.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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