POMPTON LAKES, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey elementary school teacher is facing charges for allegedly taping a student's head to his desk along with an aide for failing to intervene, authorities announced Thursday.
Following an investigation, conducted by the Pompton Lakes Police Department, officials charged Todd Lewis, 57, of Wayne, with endangering the welfare of a child, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said.
Sallyann Scala, 67, of Pompton Lakes, was charged with abuse and neglect of children.
On Oct. 31, the Pompton Lakes Police Department advised Special Victims Unit Detectives that a 9-year-old male student at Lenox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes had disclosed that earlier that month, Lewis had placed masking tape around the back of his neck and secured it to his desk for approximately 40-50 minutes while Scala, who was present in the classroom, failed to intervene, prosecutors said.
Lewis was charged by way of warrant and Scala was charged by way of summons after an investigation, police said.
On Dec. 12, Lewis was released pending trial on monitoring, with special release conditions that he be prohibited from contact with any minor children including the minor victim.
On December 11, 2024, members of the Pompton Lakes Police Department served Ms. Scala with the summons complaint.
Lewis is facing five to ten years in state prison. Scala faces up to 18 months state prison.
