Pompton Lakes Elementary School Teacher & Aide Charged With Abuse
Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:10 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
POMPTON LAKES, NJ.- Following an investigation into allegations of child abuse, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, a 57-year-old Wayne, New Jersey, man employed as an elementary school teacher and a 67-year-old Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, woman employed as an elementary classroom aide have both been charged with child abuse offenses.
According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Todd Lewis, 57, of Wayne, was charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Lewis was taken into custody on Wednesday and made his first appearance on Thursday, December 12, 2024, and was released on bail monitoring conditions, pending future court proceedings in Passaic County Superior Court.
Sallyann Scala, 57, of Pompton Lakes, was charged by complaint summons with fourth-degree Abuse and Neglect of Children.
The charges stem from an investigation that unfolded on October 31, 2024, when the Pompton Lakes Police Department contacted the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit to advise Detectives that a 9-year-old male student at Lenox Elementary School had come forward and said earlier in October, Mr. Lewis had placed masking tape the back of the student’s neck and secured it to the student’s desk for around 45 minutes. During that time, Ms. Scala was present and did not intervene. The investigation led to Lewis and Scala being charged.
If convicted of the charge, Lewis faces between five and ten years in New Jersey State Prison, and Scala faces up to eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office stated that any inquiries regarding Lewis’ or Scala’s employment status should be referred to the Pompton Lakes Board of Education.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
