ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — A former "Teacher of the Year" winner was arrested after he allegedly physically assaulted one of his middle school students after making him stay late after class, attorneys representing the family of the student said in a press release on Thursday.

Melvin McClain, a teacher at Conyers Middle School, was arrested and booked into the Rockdale County Jail on charges of first-degree cruelty to children, two counts of third-degree cruelty to children and simple battery.

The alleged attack, which happened on Dec. 1, escalated into McClain striking 13-year-old Malachi Sherman in the head and stomach multiple times, warrants allege. Attorneys for Sherman's family said they reviewed police reports and classroom footage that McClain struck him approximately 20 times.

"The

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