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A St Catherine mother says her seven-year-old son was left physically injured and emotionally shaken after being hit by his teacher with a piece of board, resulting in a broken elbow.

The teacher has since been charged, but months after the incident, the mother says the case has yet to be properly heard in court. Marsha* told THE STAR that the injury was visible the moment her son returned home one day last December, crying that he was feeling pain.

"I messaged her (the teacher) and sent her a photo of the hand that was swollen," said Marsha. "I asked her what happened. She told me that he was playing and disturbing the other classes, so she had hit him on the shoulder, and he put his elbow in the way, so the elbow was swollen."

According to Marsha, the teacher expressed regret, stating that the situation had escalated but that there was no intention to cause harm. She said the teacher advised her to ice the area, but by the following day, her son was still crying in pain.

"When we went to the clinic, they sent us out to the police station. They said they can't do anything until it is reported," she said. The teacher was not immediately charged, as Marsha said both parties were still trying to resolve the matter.

"She agreed that she would do whatever she could to help him out, and it got to a point where she said I should open back the case because she does not have any money to cover all the expenses," she said. Marsha said that the teacher was eventually charged, but after three court dates, she said the case is yet to be heard, as she keeps being informed that there is no file. Frustrated, on her latest visit to the police station, Marsha said she spoke with a police officer.

"She told me to sign over some papers, but after that when I called back, they said she was on leave. I don't know what is going on." Marsha said her son was later diagnosed with a fractured elbow.

"They said his hand is fractured and that he might need surgery because of where the fracture is. [They said] that the hand might stop grow, it grow too fast, or it grow too slow," she said. While she admitted to occasionally disciplining her children, Marsha said she draws the line at objects like pieces of board or broomsticks.

"I would rather talk to him. I don't believe in that cruelty kind of beating. That is wickedness," Marsha said. When contacted, the teacher confirmed that she was charged, but insisted that she did not intend to cause harm.

"I'm not okay with sharing a lot of the details, but I did what I thought any parent or teacher would do. I hit the child knowing it's not correct, but I did not do it to harm him. That was never my intention."

*Name changed to protect identity