7th grade student in custody after allegedly stabbing teacher

JONESVILLE, VA. (CBS, KYMA) - A 7th grade student is under police custody after allegedly stabbing a teacher Thursday morning at Jonesville Middle School.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office, who is handling the investigation, says the student asked to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom, got a knife out of his locker, came back into the classroom, and stabbed his teacher several times.

The sheriff's office is not disclosing the name of the teacher or student at this time.

Investigators say the student claims that he got the knife from the school cafeteria. The school is looking back on security footage to validate his claim.

Sheriff Gary Parsons says that the school will likely look into updating their safety procedures.

Jonesville Middle School did not let school out early because of the incident. We are told that the teacher had to get stitches, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

The student is being charged as a juvenile with aggravated malicious wounding and assault and battery. Sheriff Parsons says this is not the student's first juvenile offense.

He's being held at Highlands Correctional Facility, and his court date has not yet been set.