CUMMING — The 10-year-old girl whose can of pepper spray went off on a Cumming Elementary bus during dismissal March 2 has been suspended as a result of the incident, school system officials said.

The student received two days out-of-school suspension and was banned from the bus for two weeks, according to Jennifer Caracciolo, a spokeswoman for Forsyth County Schools.

An investigation conducted by Cumming Elementary administrators and the school resource officer concluded she pushed the release button on purpose during a dispute. However, she did not aim it directly at anyone, and the leak was contained largely to her backpack, Caracciolo said.

The incident, which was deemed isolated, caused an estimated 45 students to be taken off the bus and treated as a precaution.

About 12 of the children were treated on scene after complaining of symptoms before being released to their parents.

Caracciolo said it was unclear why the student had the can in her possession at the school on Tribble Gap Road, since school system rules prohibit pepper spray on campus.

Neither the student’s name nor prior disciplinary record could be released. However, Caracciolo had noted after the incident that officials would likely take that and the fact that it happened at an elementary school into consideration.

Disciplinary action is handled on a case-by-case basis, with punishments ranging from a verbal warning to expulsion.