A video released by the Pasco County School District on Sunday appears to show a school aide repeatedly slapping a special needs student.

Pasco County sheriff's deputies say James Lambert, 57, struck the 10-year-old boy several times because he was using foul language. The video shows Lambert raising both of his hands to strike a child who is not in view.

Authorities say the student was strapped to his seat with a safety harness in the back of the bus when Lambert, the man who was supposed to be taking care of the child, slapped him multiple times.

The video shows Lambert walking to the rear of the bus and sitting down across from the boy. After a short exchange that is not audible, the 6-foot-1, 250-pound Lambert raises his right hand and appears to strike the child. The child is heard saying "owwww."

Lambert can then be heard saying "say it one more time" and "you like it?," after which he strikes the child again with his right hand and then with his left hand at least two more times.

Lambert was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of child abuse. He has also been suspended from his job and will likely lose it, authorities said.

The boy's mother, Lori Lamb, said she is beside herself after seeing video of her son, Jeffery, being slapped.

"I instantly was a mess," she said. "I was in tears. I was mortified, I was devastated. Anything that could run through a parent's mind at the time that I wasn't there to protect my son."

Lamb said her son, who is autistic, has behavioral issues, but at the moment when he is hit, the boy was harnessed into his seat and helpless. She said her son came home that day with bruises and marks on his arms and neck.

Pasco County Schools spokesperson Linda Cobbe said Lambert has been working as a bus aide since 1998.

She said investigators have not determined why Lambert apparently snapped.

"The child has a disability and can't help himself," Cobbe said. "This man ... knows better than to do that. I have no idea what would cause him to do that, and I certainly hope he hasn't done it before."

Investigators are looking into whether there are any other allegations of impropriety involving Lambert.

A letter in Lambert's personnel file dated last January shows three complaints against him. Lambert was reassigned to another route in October of 2012, so he could complete a course on "how to properly deal with students."

The aide has no other previous criminal history.

Lambert was released from the Pasco County Detention Center on Saturday on a $10,000 bond.