(Hickory, NC) -- A Caldwell County middle school teacher accused of putting a special needs child in a cardboard box has returned to work.

Renee Chandler was accused of putting the boy in a refrigerator-sized box several times in April at Hudson Middle School as a form of discipline. She was placed on paid suspension for three days last month and 10 days of unpaid suspension that ended June 1.

She's been assigned to West Caldwell High School.

The boy's mother, Joy Amatuccio, said the education plan for her son calls for walking him around outside to calm him down. The boy suffered a traumatic brain injury and is in a wheelchair.

Amatuccio says she thinks Chandler should have been fired.

The box was removed from the classroom in April.