Updated

School officials say a Barnstable elementary school teacher has been placed on administrative leave, and family members of a student say it's because the teacher bullied special needs students.

The Cape Cod Times reports that police and the state Department of Children and Families are investigating the alleged bullying at Centerville Elementary School.

Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Mary Czajkowski confirmed that a teacher has been placed on leave but did not say why and did not provide the teacher's name.

The grandmother of a 5-year-old boy with autism who was allegedly bullied says the family was told by DCF that the bullying involved derogatory language and rough handling.

Police say they are investigating to determine whether a crime occurred.