A 57-year-old high school science teacher in southern Indiana has been arrested after police say she slapped one student for spilling water and told another, “I wish I could shoot you in the head.”

Cherie Hofmann, who teaches at Corydon Central High School, was charged last month with one count of battery resulting in bodily injury and two counts of intimidation in retaliation for a lawful act, according to court records. She has pleaded not guilty.

The alleged incident took place on October 22 inside Hofmann’s classroom. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Madison Courier, a student told a school resource officer that he accidentally knocked over a bottle of water, splashing a small amount onto the table beside him. Hofmann, standing nearby, allegedly reacted by striking the student on the right side of his head and saying, “Don’t spill water on my tables.”

The student told police the slap stung for a few seconds but didn’t cause lasting pain. Two other students in the class corroborated his story, telling investigators they saw Hofmann hit the boy and scold him.

As the investigation unfolded, police uncovered two other alleged incidents involving Hofmann. In one, a female student claimed the teacher threatened to slap her. In another, a male student said Hofmann responded to one of his questions by saying, “I wish I could shoot you in the head.”

When the student asked her to repeat the remark, Hofmann allegedly backtracked, telling him she had misspoken and meant to say she wished she could shoot herself. She later told investigators that she was a licensed firearm instructor and would never threaten a student. “I might think it,” she reportedly said, “but would never say it.”

After waiving her Miranda rights, Hofmann denied slapping anyone, saying she only “gently patted” the student on the head with her fingertips to remind him not to spill water. She also denied making any threats.

The South Harrison Community School Corporation said Hofmann was immediately placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. “Once the investigation is complete, any necessary disciplinary measures and actions will be taken in accordance with the findings,” the district said in a statement. “We understand this is a concerning situation and want to assure you that allegations of this nature are taken seriously.”

Hofmann appeared in court last week and was released on her own recognizance. She is prohibited from contacting any of the students involved and is scheduled for a pretrial conference on November 20.

Corydon Central High School, located about 125 miles south of Indianapolis, has not commented further on the matter. Parents in the district have expressed frustration over the lack of details but say they are waiting for the legal process to run its course.