New Jersey Teacher Todd Lewis Loses License After Allegedly Taping 9-Year-Old Student’s Head to Desk [PHOTOS]

A New Jersey teacher has voluntarily surrendered his teaching licenses after being accused of taping a 9-year-old student’s head to a desk as punishment, according to police reports.

Todd Lewis, 58, gave up both of his elementary school teaching licenses through the New Jersey State Board of Examiners following his December arrest. Lewis, who had held his licenses since 2004 and 2005, was accused by the Pompton Lakes Police Department of securing the child’s head to his desk using masking tape for nearly an hour.

Todd Lewis, 57, was charged with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Authorities also arrested Sallyann Scala, 68, Lewis’ teacher’s aide, alleging she failed to intervene during the incident, according to a Pompton Lakes Police Department release. Lewis faces one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, which carries a potential 5-to-10-year prison sentence if convicted. Scala was charged with fourth-degree child abuse and neglect, which could carry up to 18 months in jail.

The alleged incident took place at Lenox Hill Elementary School in early October 2024. Police said the then-9-year-old student reported that Lewis “placed masking tape around the back of [his] neck and secured it to [his] desk for approximately 40-50 minutes while Ms. Scala was present and failed to intervene.”

Sallyann Scala, 67, was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

Neither Lewis nor Scala are currently in custody, according to New Jersey State Prison records. Authorities have not confirmed whether the charges remain active.

This case highlights serious concerns over classroom safety and the responsibilities of school staff to protect students from abuse.