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A 57-year-old teacher in New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly taping a 9-year-old student’s head to his desk and leaving the child restrained for nearly an hour. Todd J. Lewis was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged by warrant with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, authorities announced.
Lewis’ teacher’s aide, 67-year-old Sallyann Scala, was issued a summons on one count of fourth-degree cruelty and neglect of children because she allegedly did not come to the aid of the young victim.
According to a news release from the Pompton Lakes Police Department, the 9-year-old victim on Oct. 31, 2024, informed officers about the incident, which had taken place earlier that month at Lenox Elementary School. The department then advised detectives with the Special Victim’s Unit about the child’s claim.
The victim disclosed to detectives that Lewis “had placed masking tape around the back of the student’s neck and secured it to the student’s desk for approximately 40-50 minutes,” police wrote in the release. During that time, Scala was allegedly “present in the classroom and failed to intervene.”
Sallyann Scala (Pompton Lakes Police Dept.)
Authorities did not provide any details regarding why Lewis allegedly taped 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.”
Lewis on Thursday appeared in court for Central Judicial Processing proceedings and was released from detention “pending trial on monitoring.” A condition of Lewis’ release prohibits him from having contact with any minor children, including the victim.
Officers on Wednesday served Scala with the summons complaint.
“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
