HOPKINTON — A school guidance counselor charged with assaulting a family member after a probate court hearing has resigned while his case winds through the legal system.

In April, Eugene Fox, 63, the co-director of guidance at Hopkinton Middle/High School was charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly punched, kicked and stepped on the neck and groin of an elderly relative following a probate court hearing in Manchester.

The man Fox allegedly attacked was his 74-year-old uncle, according to Union Leader reports, who was getting into his car when Fox assaulted him, punching him in the jaw, knocking him to the ground and kicking and stepping on him. The men had been at court over guardianship issues involving Fox's father, Alden Fox, 92, who lives in a retirement community.

After Fox left, the uncle was able to get help from the garage office and was transported to Catholic Medical Center where he was evaluated and treated for his injuries, including abrasions to his head and difficulty breathing.

Fox was arrested on a warrant by Henniker Police and transported to the Manchester Police Department for booking. Though a bail hearing was held, and Fox was released on $5,000 cash/surety bail, he hasn't made a plea in the case and waived probable cause in May.

Fox had been on paid administrative leave from the Hopkinton School District since shortly after the incident and continued to collect his annual salary of $64,906 plus benefits.

But last week, Fox handed in a letter of resignation, according to Supt. Steven Chamberlin.

On Thursday, the school board met and voted to accept Fox's resignation, said Chamberlin.

Over the course of the summer, the school district will be working to replace Fox to ensure that the guidance department is fully staffed before the students return in the fall.

“We are trying hard to hire a replacement this summer,” Chamberlin said.

nfoster@newstote.com