AUSTIN, Texas – A teacher who allegedly bit an autistic fifth-grader then lied about it to the child’s parents and school officials was removed from the classroom pending an investigation.

Parents Joe and Alice Asevedo plan to press for criminal charges against a fifth-grade teacher at Kocurek Elementary who allegedly bit their son Ray last Wednesday. The couple contend they questioned the teacher, who initially denied the bite, and school officials didn’t seem to take their concerns seriously, Fox reports.

“He said the teacher bit him when I asked him what was on his arm,” Alice said.

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Joe took pictures of the bite marks the day of the incident and immediately reported it to the school principal, but nothing really happened, he said.

“As soon as we called on Thursday they should’ve taken action, he’s a special needs child that can’t fight his own battles. Not just for Ray but for the other kids too,” Alice told Fox.

On Monday they finally got a call back from the school.

“The teacher had admitted to biting Ray and to lying to me, my husband and the principal and that the teacher had been removed from the classroom until further investigation,” Alice said.

Austin Independent School District officials refused to discuss the incident or investigation with Fox.

They confirmed an investigation into a teacher at the elementary, but wouldn’t divulge the details.

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The school reportedly sent an automated phone message to parents about the investigation.

The Asevedos said they’re pressing charges against the teacher, who was not identified.

“The detective called me this afternoon and asked me if I want to press charges and I said yes, not to be mean towards the school we just feel like they didn’t protect Ray,” Joe told Fox.