HAMILTON — A music teacher in the Hamilton Schools will not face criminal charges in connection with a Jan. 29 incident at Jefferson Elementary School, but she will not return to the school.

        Cathryn Beck completed a three-day suspension Friday after being accused of striking a fourth-grade student. Instead of returning to the classroom on Monday, she was put on indefinite paid leave, said Gene Hutzelman, assistant superintendent.

        “We felt it was best she not return to Jefferson,” Mr. Hutzelman said Monday. “We are looking for a long-term substitute teacher.”

        He would not say when or whether Ms. Beck would be assigned a classroom in another school. This is her first year as a teacher in the Hamilton Schools. In the past she has taught in the Lima Schools.

        Hamilton Police Sgt. Jim Malone said police have finished investigating and will not press charges against Ms. Beck after parents of a 10-year-old boy decided not to prosecute.

        “They did not want to put their son through anything more,” Sgt. Malone said. “There's probably no criminal intent to cause harm, but she violated school policy.”

        According to one complaint filed with police, the 10-year-old was wrestling with a 9-year-old when the teacher struck the older boy on his arm with her hand, leaving a mark.

        A separate police complaint indicated the teacher also slapped the 9-year-old in the face, but that complaint turned out to be unfounded.

        In October, Ms. Beck received a written reprimand from Principal Mary Jacobs after being accused of striking a student on the leg. The next month Ms. Beck received a written reprimand for allegedly using profanity in front of a student.

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