An Alabama elementary school teacher was arrested on assault charges Thursday after she allegedly used her forearm to hit a 7-year-old student last month, authorities said.

Brittney Denise Buford, a 32-year-old first-grade teacher at Loachapoka Elementary School in Loachapoka, in Lee County, allegedly struck the 7-year-old student in the face with her forearm around 2:43 p.m. April 17, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

Loachapoka Elementary School Principal Carmen Anderson reported the incident to Lee County sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s office said.

Anderson could not be reached for comment.

Buford, an Auburn resident, was charged with third-degree assault.

She was released from the Lee County jail after posting $1,000 bond.