LAKE COUNTY, Fla. -- A Lake County teacher was facing a child abuse charge Wednesday morning.

Deputies said he went over the line when a student got out of line. The incident happened Tuesday at the Boy’s Ranch Learning Center, which takes in troubled teenagers.

Deputies said 37-year old Melvin Davis tackled a 16-year old student and punched him in the chest. The teacher said the student had provoked him and needed to be restrained.

“The teacher stated that he felt the need to restrain the student, however the witnesses said that the student was walking away and that they felt there was no longer a need and that his actions were of an aggressive nature. That's what makes the difference.” said Sgt. Christie Mysinger of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Davis was out of jail on $5,000 bond. No one from the school, or its parent company, Vision Quest, had returned Channel Nine’s calls to comment.