VIDOR -- Vidor police are investigating claims by a student who said he was seriously hurt after an administrator struck him with a paddle.

On Nov. 12, Jacob Smith, 17, was sent to the principal's office at Vidor High School by his teacher and saw Assistant Principal Loren Rice.

Vidor police said Wednesday whatever the infraction was, corporal punishment was carried out.

Beaumont-Port Arthur television station KBTV reported that Smith has been having weekly hospital treatment for an injury to his back.

According to medical documents and records, Smith has a shattered bone in his lower back, which he attributes to the paddling at school.

Police are considering whether to file a charge of misdemeanor assault.

Officials with the Vidor Independent School District declined comment because Superintendent Joe Williamson was out of the office.