A Department of Education cook who allegedly slapped a 10-year-old student on the face about seven months ago, was last week charged with misdemeanor third degree assault. The defendant, Vaeluaga Sofara, who has been released on her own recognizance, returns to court later this month for another hearing.

Court documents state that a mother contacted police on Sept. 14, 2016 reporting that a cafeteria worker at Leone Midkiff Elementary School, whom she identified as Sofara, had assaulted her daughter.

After speaking with the mother, police spoke with the 10-year-old girl, who explained that she was playing with other students in the cafeteria when the defendant walked towards her and “slapped her so hard she felt dizzy,” according to the court affidavit.

The girl was taken to the hospital by her mother, who told police that the little girl was not in the state of mind for further treatment. The victim “had a swollen left cheek,” the affidavit states.

Police interviewed the defendant, who claimed that she saw the victim throw lunch on the floor. At that time, the defendant “approached the victim and slapped her on the cheek,” the government alleges.

The next day, both the victim and her mother were interviewed again by police, during which the victim stated that she was sitting at a lunch table when another student at her table threw an apple stick at a 6th grader sitting at an adjacent table.

The victim had an apple stick thrown at her chin so she turned around and, assuming it was the same 6th grader, threw an apple stick at him. “More apple sticks were thrown during laughter as the victim explained it was part of a game,” according to the affidavit based on the interview with the victim.

During the commotion, the defendant walked up to the students to ask them what happened. “After the victim explained, the defendant placed the victim in front of all students and slapped her in the face,” the government alleges.

“Upon being hit, her head swayed to the right and she cried because she felt the defendant’s hand was heavy. The defendant told her to go back to the classroom and she [victim] went to the bathroom to wash her hands,” the government alleges. “While washing her hands, she fainted, waking up to other students trying to help her stand up.”