A Georgia middle-schooler was punished this week after she hugged another girl who was upset in class, and district officials are sticking by the decision.

The girl’s mother posted about the incident and spoke to WXIA about the incident, but did not want to be identified.

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“My daughter has never been in trouble at school until today,” the student’s mother posted to Facebook.

School records obtained by the news site show the seventh-grader was cited for the “Level One Offense” of “inappropriate display of affection” during fourth period on November 15. The infraction, described on the form as “hugging a student,” occurred in the Villa Rica Middle School art room.

Carroll County Schools wouldn’t comment about the situation, and instead pointed the news station to the student handbook, which states a public display of affection is against the rules, and students can face a penalty ranging from a warning to a short-term suspension.

Hugging is not banned, per se, officials told WXIA, but could be construed as “unwanted contact.” School officials contend they evaluate each incident on a “case-by-case basis.”

The student’s mother said her daughter was simply consoling a girl who was crying in class. She confronted the school about the write-up, and relayed the reaction to reporter Kaitlyn Ross.

“Mom says she went to the school and the school said we’re not really going to do anything to enforce this. She’s not going to be in a lot of trouble,” Ross told viewers.

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Other schools in the area seem to take a more common sense approach to student embraces.

WXIA reports:

Gwinnett County Public Schools said it has a policy against sexual harassment and battery, along with any unwanted touching or intimacy. Atlanta Public Schools has a policy against ‘excessive’ public displays of affection.

However, hugging was not against the district code of conduct in either district.

Folks online sounded off on the ridiculous punishment, including some who claim their children have went through a similar ordeal.

“I received the same letter for my daughter who also goes to Villa Rica middle school,” parent Candice Ratner posted to Facebook. “I sent to the school the next morning and told them my daughter has never been in any kind of trouble before. That the (write-up) was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. My daughter has been bullied non stop and the girls who are bullying my daughter have gotten nothing.

“I told them I was not signing it, I ripped it up,” Ratner wrote. “They told me that it will not go against her.”

And while some people argued rules on boundaries are necessary, most seemed to suggest school officials should exercise a little common sense.

“This is what we want! Kids to hug one another if they are sad upset having a bad day and needs a hug!” Marcy Koemer Aschbrenner wrote. “I frown on this 100% your kidding me right? Hugs don’t hurt and hugs show your happy or excited about something! Really come on. She did the right thing and give her a hug from me … hugs for everyone!”