MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark.—A former Norfork teacher once accused of using a trash can to punish a learning disabled student has sued a Web site, alleging it published false information about her.

Loretta DiAnne Cruse, 60, of Gassville filed the lawsuit against a Web site known as Teacher Smackdown and others affiliated with it in Baxter County Circuit Court. In her lawsuit, Cruse asks for $1 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages and a trial by jury. It also asks the Web site to remove defamatory content and post information correcting the mistake for one year.

Cruse was a special education teacher at Norfork Elementary School when she allegedly abused a nonverbal 8-year-old student by putting a dirty trash can over his head and hitting the can several times.

She also threw water and put a ski mask on the child and slapped his hands, according to court documents.

Cruse was suspended in December 2006, and arrested March 23 after a three-month investigation. District Judge Van Gearhart later found her not guilty of a criminal charge stemming from the incident in a court trial.

Cruse alleges in her lawsuit the Web site published false statements that were malicious and defamatory and harmed her reputation. Cruse alleges the Web site reported she pleaded guilty to abusing the student, when she was acquitted of the charge, according to the lawsuit.

Cruse claims the defamatory information caused her extreme mental anguish that resulted in physical stress and harm and damaged her reputation.

Cruse described the defendants’ actions were “willful and malicious” and that they profit financially from the Web site

The Web site lists 451 Press LLC as its owner.

A phone message and e-mail sent to the Huntsville, Ala.-based company seeking comment about the lawsuit were not returned.