Teacher Taped Child To Desk While Aide Looked On: Passaic Prosecutor

POMPTON LAKES, NJ — A Pompton Lakes teacher and teacher's aide both face child abuse charges for taping a 9-year-old boy to a desk, officials said.

The incident happened at Lenox Elementary School in October, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Pompton Lakes Police Chief Derek Clark.

A student reported that teacher Todd Lewis, 57, placed masking tape around the back of his neck and secured it to his desk. The boy remained in that position for 40 to 50 minutes while teacher's aide Sallyann Scala "failed to intervene," officials said.

Police began investigating, and the prosecutor's office has now charged Lewis, of Wayne, with second-degree child endangerment. He was released from custody on monitoring conditions after a court appearance , and is prohibited from having contact with any minor children.

Scala, a 67-year-old Pompton Lakes resident, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

Both were placed on leave as soon as the incident was brought to administrators' attention, said Superintendent Paul Amoroso. Lewis has taught second grade in the district for 20 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“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,” he said. "Measures have been taken so that the individuals will not have any access to the school premises."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Lewis's position in the district, and to add a statement from the superintendent.