A 16-year-old student was suspended from Mainstay Academy, previously called CrossRoads (Psychoeducational) Center on Tuesday after he reportedly tried to stab a teacher in the stomach with a pocket knife.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. when the student entered class late after a doctor's appointment. The teacher later reportedly told a Covington police officer the student appeared nervous and upset when he entered the room.

When the teacher asked the student to obtain a note from the office regarding his tardiness, he reportedly refused. She then told the student to step outside the classroom and he reportedly responded by yelling at her and another teacher who was also in the room.

After being asked to leave a third time, the suspect stood up from his desk and an open pocket knife reportedly fell out of his pocket.

 The teacher grabbed the suspect in an attempt to restrain him. The suspect was, however, able to grab the knife and then allegedly attempted to stab her in the stomach.

The teacher pushed the student away to protect herself, and he fled the school on foot but was later found by officers at a bank on Mill Street. A black and silver knife with a four inch blade was located on the suspect's person, according to police reports.

According to Sherri Viniard, director of public relations for Newton County School System, the school has taken the matter very seriously.

"The safety of our students and employees is of the utmost importance to us," Viniard wrote in a statement. "We will not tolerate this behavior on our school campuses. A juvenile complaint was filed and it is our understanding that he has been released to his mother. The student has been suspended pending a hearing."

The suspect has been charged with simple assault.