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A teacher and a teacher’s aide have been arrested and charged with child endangerment after allegedly duct-taping a student’s neck to his desk for nearly an hour.

According to authorities in Pompton LakesIn New Jersey, the investigation began on Oct. 31, when a 9-year-old boy at an elementary school revealed that teacher Todd Lewis had taped his neck and his head to a desk earlier this month. The student said he was tied to the desk for about 40 to 50 minutes while a teacher’s assistant, Sallyann Scala, was present and did not intervene.

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Lewis, 57, was charged with one count of second-degree misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Scala was charged with fourth-degree child abuse and neglect.

Lewis was released into home custody, and Scala was issued a summons to appear.

If convicted, Lewis faces five to 10 years in prison. Scala faces a prison sentence of up to 18 months.

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In a statement to nj.comthe school district’s superintendent said both employees have been placed on leave and barred from campus.

“We want to assure our parents, students, staff and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our students,” District Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in the statement.