Teacher Tapes Students Mouth Shut

AURORA, Colo. -- A teacher at Sidecreek Elementary School in Aurora was placed on leave Thursday after the mother of a fifth grader reported that the teacher taped their son's mouth shut.

The incident allegedly occurred on Wednesday, but the Laura Solarin didn't learn about it until she called home to check on her son, Gabriel, after school and he told her what happened.

"He gets the tape out of the desk and he starts wrapping it (around my head) in layers," said Gabriel, 11. "He went around (my head) maybe about 10 times. "

Gabriel said the the teacher left the tape on him for about 15 minutes before two other teachers saw it.

Laura Solarin told 7NEWS that she called Aurora police to report the incident.

"It's inexcusable," she said.

Police began an investigation and the school district suspended the teacher until they determine if the teacher acted inappropriately. The district launched its own investigation into the incident.

No charges have been filed in the case and police weren't releasing the offense report because the investigation is still under way. They are investigating the case as possible child abuse.