Teacher tapes 9-year-old to desk by his neck as aide watched, New Jersey cops say

A teacher was arrested after being accused of abusing a 9-year-old student, New Jersey police said.

On Oct. 31, Pompton Lakes police learned a teacher, later identified as 57-year-old Todd Lewis, taped a 9-year-old student to a desk at Lenox Elementary School, according to a Dec. 12 news release.

Lewis used masking tape to bind the student to the desk for about 40 to 50 minutes, police said.

During the abuse, a teacher’s aide, later identified as 67-year-old Sallyann Scala, was in the room but did not intervene, officers said.

McClatchy News reached out to Pompton Lakes School Superintendent Paul Amoroso on Dec. 13 and was awaiting a response.

”Measures have been taken so that the individuals will not have any access to the school premises,” Amoroso said in a the statement to NorthJersey. “We trust the judicial process to address this matter appropriately and promptly.”

Lewis was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and Scala was charged with abuse and neglect of children, officers said.

Lewis is facing five to 10 years in prison, and Scala is facing a year and a half in prison, officials said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 973-247-3330.

This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Teacher tapes 9-year-old to desk by his neck as aide watched, New Jersey cops say."