Outrage poured across the /internet once reports of a 9-year-old receiving a two-day suspension for calling a teacher "cute" surfaced, but now it appears he's receiving some justice, WBTV reports.
"We will be sending an official letter of apology to the parents," Gaston County Schools Spokesperson Bonnie Reidy told the station. "Also the suspension will not count against the child and the child will receive additional instructional assistance to make up for the time out of the classroom."
Principal Jerry Bostic, who determined the boy's alleged comment was sexual harassment, has also resigned, according to the report.
After receiving the initial call from Bostic, the boy's mother, Chiquita Lockett, told WSOC TV she couldn't understand the punishment.
"It's not like he went up to the woman and tried to grab her or touch her in a sexual way," Lockett told the station. "So why would he be suspended for two days?"
Here is the official statement from the school system, courtesy of WBTV:
"After a thorough investigation by school officials involving the suspension of a fourth grade student at one of our elementary schools, it has been determined there was no sexual harassment.
We regret this situation happened. The superintendent has attempted to contact the family to offer an apology to the parents and student. The school system is also sending an official letter of apology to the parents and student.
The suspension will not count against the student and additional instructional assistance will be provided to the student for the classroom time missed.
If a concern is reported by parents to the district office, our procedure is to investigate it and follow up with the parents. "
In a separate report, Lockett told WSOC she's glad of the media attention the suspension garnered, and that she will be pursuing legal action.
"This is something that everyone needed to see," Lockett told the station. "Just to see what's happening within our school systems."
Watch the original report: