EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Police are investigating a claim that a teacher at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic School in Edwards told students to duct tape their classmates' mouths shut.

A parent claims the duct tape was a punishment for speaking in class, according to an Eagle County Sheriff's Office report. Police have filed no charges against the teacher at this time, sheriff's office spokeswoman Shannon Cordingly said. She expects police to wrap up their interviews for the case Wednesday.

The teacher is no longer employed by the St. Clare of Assisi Catholic School, Principal Sister Rita Rae Schneider said Wednesday in an e-mail to parents.

“As you may have heard, an unfortunate incident occurred in the sixth grade Spanish class a few weeks ago,” the e-mail said. “Upon hearing about the incident, we immediately commenced an investigation. Since then, authorities have become involved and we are cooperating with them.”

Schneider could not be reached for comment or to verify the e-mail. No phone number could be found for the teacher.

According to the police report, the teacher told students to duct tape the mouths of three of their classmates who were talking.

The tape was applied in a small strip, the report said. The children did not complain about trouble breathing and stayed taped up for the remainder of the class, about 45 minutes total, the report says.



Staff writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 970-748-2928 or smausolf@vaildaily.com.