Elementary school teacher accused of taping students' mouths shut

KOKOMO, Ind. - Local parents are concerned after a Howard County elementary school teacher has been accused of taping young students' mouths shut during class.




The teacher - an employee of the Taylor School Corporation - reportedly teaches kindergarten at Taylor Elementary School in Kokomo. FOX59/CBS4 is not naming the teacher as she has not been charged with any crime.




The students at Taylor Elementary are currently on spring break, which some parents said is much-needed after hearing stories about what has been occurring in one classroom. FOX59 reporter Claire Curry spoke on Monday with several of these concerned parents.




Heaven Russell, the mother of a kindergartner at Taylor, said she first heard the allegations on Sunday after reading posts online. These rumors said a teacher had taped students' mouths shut, so Russell sat down with her son to ask him about it.




"He said that she was acting like it was a game," Russell said. "But, when she would tear the tape off, the kids would cry."




Russell's son described the tape as the kind used to pack moving boxes. Russell's sister, Madelynn Wetzel, also has a child in the class.




"It's something that I kind of expected out of her, because she just doesn't seem like she's a good teacher at all," Wetzel said.




Both children said that while the teacher did not put tape on their mouths, they saw it happen to their classmates.




"I was crying on the way home yesterday after I found everything out, so I can't imagine how [the alleged victims' parents] are feeling," Russell said. "You should never have to worry about your kid going to school and being exposed to any kind of child abuse."




Russell said the accused teacher was not at school teaching for several days leading up to spring break. She also said that school officials have not contacted either her or her sister about the allegations.




"I feel like they could have been notifying the parents immediately and I just don't like that," Russell said. "I feel like that's sneaky, and you're trying to hide things."




In a statement to FOX59, Taylor Schools Superintendent Steve Dishon said the district is aware of the allegations and actively investigating.




"We will respond appropriately once the investigation is complete," Dishon said. "The safety of our students is paramount and we have acted and will continue to act accordingly to protect them."




Our station followed up with the school district to ask if the teacher has been fired. We have not heard back as of 5 p.m. Monday.




Also as of 5 p.m. Monday, no criminal charges have been filed against the accused teacher. This article will be updated as more details are released.





via: https://fox59.com/indiana-news/kokomo-elementary-school-teacher-accused-of-taping-students-mouths-shut/