A teacher is under investigation after she was accused by students of playing a high-pitched ringing noise in an apparent punishment for the class.
As reported by NBC 5, the unnamed first-year teacher is accused of playing a "dog whistle" YouTube video for 40 minutes. The video emitted a ringing sound that could only be heard by young people.
The Independent School District has revealed that the alleged incident occurred during one period of class at Leland Edge Middle School in Nevada, Texas, on March 2.
Officials also revealed that the teacher is no longer with the Texas district, per the New York Post.
Student Zoey Lohrs, who was in the class, told NBC 5: "She put on the ringing noise everyone was covering their ears. One of them walked out of the classroom, one of them was yelling that it was torture and one was trying to unplug the computer."
Lohrs has a documented history of migraines, which she says the school and the teacher were well aware of.
After one student reported the incident to the police, the teacher found herself under investigation.
"I would understand if the teacher used it for a split second to gain the attention of the class but not for the excess of 40 minutes. Not when kids are begging you to stop," Zoey's mom said. "I would really like her held accountable for her actions, this is not ok. You have my kid for eight hours a day. It's supposed to be a safe place."
Community ISD has revealed that the teacher now faces "possible" criminal charges, pending the results of the investigation.
The district added in its statement: "The District will cooperate fully with local law enforcement agencies and the legal process. While CISD wants to be as open and honest as possible, we cannot comment further on this matter until the ongoing investigation has been concluded."