Deputies in Florida allege that a former preschool instructor repeatedly struck a 4-year-old child in the head earlier this week, leading to her being charged with felony child abuse.

Ashley Richards, 32, was detained on Wednesday at the Kindercare Learning Center in Dunedin, Florida, after she was allegedly seen repeatedly pounding the youngster in the head, according to the authorities.

A witness reported seeing Richards punching a child with “both an open hand and a closed fist in the back of the head and on the side of the head,” according to the arrest affidavit, after hearing screams emanating from the playground.

According to authorities, an unknown witness also told deputies that she witnessed Richards push the kid to the ground, prompting her to grab her phone and start filming the rest of the exchange.

Is it okay if I punch you? According to the affidavit, Richards can be heard on the recording asking the 4-year-old.

Officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and questioned both Richards and the 4-year-old.

According to the sheriff’s office, Richards admitted covering the child’s mouth to stop him from laughing, but she denied ever punching or striking the boy.

The four-year-old provided an alternative account of what happened. The arrest complaint states that the boy informed authorities that Richards assaulted him “as a punishment,” hurting his head and eye after he fought with his sibling.

The teacher was placed on administrative leave “until further notice,” Kindercare Learning Center told WFTS before the organization revealed that the teacher had been sacked due to an ongoing inquiry.