SAN ANTONIO – An 11-year-old boy’s family said it is finally getting answers weeks after they reported the fifth grader was repeatedly hit in the head by a substitute teacher at Bowden Academy.

Angelica Cerda said her son, Narcisso Sanroman, asked the substitute for help with a math question. Cerda said that is when the substitute hit him in the head five times with his own notebook.

Cerda said her son left the classroom upset and that the principal found him pulling at his clothes and hair. She said the principal contacted Child Protective Services, San Antonio ISD police and the student’s father, and that the substitute teacher was removed from campus.

“He called CPS, he called the San Antonio ISD police, called dad and he had her escorted off by San Antonio police and did say she’s not welcome back at this campus,” Cerda said.

Cerda said she has now received a letter from San Antonio ISD confirming the district’s investigation found the alleged misconduct occurred.

“It gave me a reassurance that SAISD did what they needed to do,” Cerda said.

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The district’s letter described the conduct as “unjustified abuse or an unlawful act involving physical mistreatment of a student.” The letter also stated the substitute and her access to school district facilities were terminated.

“It did bring up the anger again, but knowing that these are little steps toward him getting the justice that he deserves as well as other children not having to be subject to her. I was a good thing,” Cerda said.

Narcisso is a special education student who has ADHD, anxiety and DMDD, a condition that can cause severe irritability and emotional outbursts. His family said he did not have an outburst during the incident.

Cerda said her son is doing better and is back to loving school again, especially since he is now in the gifted and talented program, which she said he loves. Still, she said the district’s findings are only one part of the accountability she wants.

“The biggest thing is not letting this happen to another student,” Cerda said. She also called for school districts to take a closer look at hiring practices. “We also want SAISD to look at not only this school, but all schools within the district and to look at their hiring,” Cerda said.

San Antonio police are still investigating whether criminal charges should be filed.

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“She needs to understand that what she did is not okay, and I don’t think she would have been okay if somebody did this to her child.,” Cerda said.

San Antonio ISD said all employees must pass background checks and fingerprinting, and that student safety is its top priority.

The Texas Education Agency confirmed it is investigating the substitute and has flagged the educator’s certificate. The substitute teacher is not being identified because no criminal charges have been filed.