My question involves defamation in the state of: California

So we just moved to a new city 2 weeks ago and switched the kids' school at that same time (mid-school year).

Today we have been visited by the Sheriff's department because they had a report from the school of child abuse. They said my 7 year old was quoted as having said "My mom back hands me across the face." When the officer was here and the officer asked him if he said that the first thing out of his mouth was "what does backhand mean?". He obviously didn't say that (Nor has that ever happened.) My son did say that his new teacher pulled him aside and asked him if he has ever been hit at home and he said yes and she asked him how and he said he didnt know so she started to suggest things and he doesnt remember what she said cause he just wanted to go back out and play.

He probably just agreed to something to get to go outside. He told the officer he said "yes" because when he was 3 or 4 years old he remembers getting a spanking once or hit on the hand. That is actually true, as when all my kids were that young I did tap them on the butt or the hand when they touched something they weren't supposed to (like the stove or trash or something), but not since they were 4 or 5 and able to communicate better with words. But he says his teacher never asked when he was hit or anything about the incident, according to him "she was just talking". Then she reported it to the sheriff dept as the school is a mandated reporter.

I am really upset about this. Is there any legal action I can take for her feeding a story to my son then reporting me as an abuser for no real reason?? The sheriff apologized for the visit and said we would probably still be visited by child services as they are required to visit for any report. I'm sure once they talk to my son it will be all over but I am still furious that this teacher put us all through that (we also missed my kids' soccer sign-ups because of the sheriff visit, they are really upset, now they are wait listed).

My son has been acting out in her class, I assume it's because of the move and all the changes so I can only assume she was looking for some sort of "fix" to dealing with this new problem in her class. I really wanted to get off on a good foot with the new school but now I feel like I will be labeled this "abusive mom" because of this horrible teacher.

We plan to go to the school on Monday to talk to the teacher and tell her how much it upsets us that she would make something up like this. My husband and I will both be missing work to talk with her at the school and to meet with child services. Also, our entire weekend has been ruined, the talk with the sheriff really scared my son he was crying most of the morning and says he hates his teacher. I want this teacher to understand how severe her allegations were.