A home for children with physical and mental disabilities in Poland run by an order of nuns is under investigation for allegations of physical abuse.

The police launched the investigation after video footage recorded last summer by a visitor to the home in Studzieniczna in northeast Poland was shown on television, Poland Radio reported. The film clip shows a nun hitting a girl and pulling her air after the child removed her shoes.

About 50 children live in the home operated by an order of Franciscan sisters. Many of the children are severely disabled, suffering from cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other problems.

The Rev. Zygmunt Kopiczko, a priest who is at the home almost every day, denied any abuse occurred there. He said the nun in the filmed footage was properly disciplining a resident who was misbehaving.