A substitute teacher has been banned from a Texas elementary school after she allegedly duct-taped students’ mouths to keep them quiet, the Killeen Daily Herald reports.
At the time of the incident, the educator was filling in for a fifth-grade class at Maxdale Elementary School in Killeen.
The teacher, whose identity has not been released, is accused of placing duct tape over the mouths of 10 students.
An additional three reportedly students put tape over their own mouths after their peers’ mouths were taped.
Carmello Brooks, a fifth-grader who was in the classroom, ripped the duct tape off his mouth only to have the teacher put another piece on him, his mother, Adaeze Akudolu, told the newspaper.
The incident, which lasted for about 15 minutes, was discovered when a teacher across the hallway from the classroom heard noises and checked on the students.
A school nurse later examined the students, all of whom returned to their regular classes.
Officials subsequently removed the substitute teacher from the classroom and prohibited her from returning to campus.
Parent Margo Crawford told KTBC-TV that she read about the incident on Facebook.
“Thirteen students, they were duct-taped and their mouths were duct-taped shut,” Crawford said. “It’s a scary situation and it’s scary to be put in that situation, especially a child. I couldn’t imagine.”
Guillermo Tersy, another parent, called the teacher’s conduct “pretty inappropriate.”
“I would be upset personally if that happened to my child,” Tersy said.
School district spokesman Terry Abbott said the teacher’s conduct was “outrageous and unconscionable.”
“The leadership of Maxdale Elementary School and the Killeen Independent School District are deeply saddened by this event,” Abbott said. “The principal has informed parents, and has reassured parents that the staff will continue to work hard to make sure every child at the campus is absolutely safe every day.”
The school contacted child protective services about what happened, but it’s not clear if police also have become involved.
[Feature image: KCEN-TV screenshot]
