Karen Smith pleaded guilty to one count of child abuse resulting in injury. She was accused of assaulting a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - — A Colorado middle school teacher accused of assaulting a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance has pleaded guilty and has retired from teaching.

Boulder County District Attorney's spokeswoman Catherine Olguin says 60-year-old Karen Smith pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of child abuse resulting in injury.

The Daily Camera reports the former Lafayette teacher was sentenced to an 18-month deferred sentence, which means the guilty plea will be withdrawn if she can fulfill the terms of the sentence and avoid another criminal case during that time.