A New Jersey teacher has been arrested and accused of taping a 9-year-old student to his desk for nearly an hour, without the teacher's aides intervening.
One day in October, Lenox Elementary School teacher Todd Lewis wrapped masking tape around the back of the boy's neck and held him at his student's desk for about 40 to 50 minutes. According to the Pompton Lakes Police Department, the victim said Scala was in the classroom but did not intervene.
Lewis, 57, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and Scala, 67, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and child neglect.
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Todd Lewis, 57, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. (Pompton Lakes Police Department)
Police said Lewis was served with a warrant the day before and appeared in court Thursday. He was released pending trial on supervision with special conditions of release that he have no contact with children.
Scala was served with the summons complaint on Wednesday.
Salian Scala, 67, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and child neglect. (Pompton Lakes Police Department)
If convicted, Mr. Lewis could be sentenced to five to 10 years in prison, and Mr. Scala could be sentenced to up to 18 months.
The school district's superintendent said Lewis and Scala have been placed on administrative leave and barred from campus.
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The school district's superintendent said Lewis and Scala have been placed on administrative leave and barred from campus. (St. Petersburg)
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“I want to assure parents, students, staff, and school staff that we are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our students,” Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in a statement. Statement to nj.com.
