Serenah Kelly says her teacher taped her mouth shut.
SAN ANTONIO (January 21, 2011)—A San Antonio elementary school teacher was on leave Friday after a 7-year-old girl reported that he taped her mouth shut.
First grader Serenah Kelly said the teacher eventually removed the tape and told her to be quiet, but while it was on her mouth, she said she had trouble breathing.
She described the incident as frightening.
Her father, Danny Kelly, says he learned of the incident not from his daughter, but from the school’s principal.
He says his daughter was too scared to talk about the incident, which happened on the day before the start of Christmas break, but classmates finally did speak up.
Kelly said the school is giving his daughter the option of switching classes, but he wonders why she should have to make up work while the teacher remains in the classroom.
Officials, however, said the teacher has been placed on administrative leave.
mouth tape 01.21.11
