A teacher in New Jersey was arrested and charged with firmly taping a 9-year-old student to his desk for approximately an hour, while a teacher’s aide was accused of failing to intervene.
According to the Pompton Lakes Police Department, 57-year-old Todd Lewis placed masking tape around the back of the boy’s neck and secured it to the student’s desk for roughly 40 to 50 minutes one day in October. The victim stated that the teacher’s aide, 67-year-old Sallyann Scala, was in the classroom at the time but failed to intervene.
Lewis was charged with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and was released pending trial with special release conditions that he not have contact with any children. If convicted, he could face five to 10 years in prison. Scala was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children and could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted.
Both Lewis and Scala were placed on leave and are prohibited from campus by the school district’s superintendent, who assured parents and staff that the district is working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of students.