Pompton Lakes, NJ– A teacher in New Jersey, aged 57, has been taken into custody for reportedly using tape to secure a 9-year-old student’s head to his desk, leaving the child confined for almost an hour.
Authorities announced that Todd J. Lewis was arrested on Wednesday and faces a warrant charge for one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
A summons has been issued to 67-year-old Sallyann Scala, a teacher’s aide, on a charge of fourth-degree cruelty and neglect of children for allegedly failing to assist the young victim.
The Pompton Lakes Police Department reported that a 9-year-old victim disclosed an incident to officers on Oct. 31, 2024, which occurred earlier that month at Lenox Elementary School. Following this, the department informed detectives from the Special Victim’s Unit regarding the child’s assertion.
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According to the police report, the victim revealed to detectives that Lewis had used masking tape to bind the back of the student’s neck to the desk for about 40 to 50 minutes. Scala was reportedly “in the classroom and did not take action at that time.”
Officials have yet to disclose any information about the reasons behind Lewis’s alleged act of taping the student to the desk.
“Mr. Lewis’s sentencing exposure is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison on second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child,” the release states. “Ms. Scala’s sentencing exposure us up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison on fourth-degree Abuse and Neglect of Children.”
On Thursday, Lewis attended court for Central Judicial Processing and was released from custody while awaiting trial under monitoring conditions. As part of Lewis’ release terms, he is not allowed to have any contact with minors, which includes the victim.
On Wednesday, officers delivered the summons complaint to Scala.
“We want to assure our parents, students, staff and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to guarantee the safety and security of our students,” district Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in a statement.
“The employees were placed on leave when this matter was brought to the attention of the school administration and measures have been taken so that the individuals will not have any access to the school premises,” the statement said.
A family in the Bay Area alleges that their 10-year-old child has endured continuous mistreatment. A 10-year-old Black student is involved in multiple reported events.
Legal representatives indicate that the young child has been subjected to persistent bullying and has recently expressed feelings of self-harm to a school counselor.
Parents have withdrawn their son from Escondido Elementary and are getting ready to file claims against the district, a necessary procedure before moving forward with legal action.
In a separate incident, A pre-kindergarten teacher in Illinois is facing an investigation after allegations that she allowed a 3-year-old to fall, resulting in injury.
Lisa Jacobs, 44, has been charged with aggravated battery in connection to the reported incident, according to the charging documents filed with the Madison County Third Judicial Court on Dec. 6, which PEOPLE reviewed.
Prosecutors allege that Jacobs picked up the child, whose identity remains confidential due to her age, and allowed her to drop to the ground from a height of five feet.