W. Va. Teacher Reportedly Charged with Child Abuse After Police Say She Taped Student's Mouth Shut

Samira Asma-Sadeque
·2 min read

Cassandra Sisler of Central Preston Middle School has worked as a special educator, her professional bio says

<p>Getty</p> West Virginia teacher accused of taping student

Getty

West Virginia teacher accused of taping student's mouth with duct tape

A West Virginia teacher has been arrested and charged after police allege she duct-taped a student’s mouth and wrapped his wrists with tape on several occasions, according to reports.

Cassandra Sisler, 43, of Central Preston Middle School in Kingwood, W.Va. was arrested on Friday and charged with child abuse in connection with the incident that took place earlier this month, 12 WBOY, WV Metro News and WDTV report.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Sisler is a fourth grade teacher and has been working with the Preston County School District for 14 years. Her profile also states she has been trained in teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and worked as a special educator for six years with Preston County Schools.

The Preston County Board of Education received the complaint on Oct. 6, Preston County Schools Superintendent Brad Martin told PEOPLE on Tuesday.

The student told authorities that Sisler “put duct tape over his mouth from ear to ear” while the class was ongoing, 12 WBOY reported, quoting a statement from the West Virginia State Police. When the boy “took the tape off, his mouth and his lips were sore,” police said.

The alleged incidents took place between Oct. 2 and Oct. 4. On the latter date, Sisler allegedly put tape on the boy’s mouth “from ear to ear” and “grabbed his hands and wrapped his wrists in duct table,” the complaint states, 12 WBOY reports.

Martin declined to comment on the specific date of the alleged incident or Sisler's current employment status.

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In such cases, the board has discretion to take certain actions - ranging from verbal or written reprimand, suspension to termination, depending on the circumstances. Martin declined to comment on what kind of disciplinary action Sisler will be facing given that the investigation is ongoing.

Central Preston Middle School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. West Virginia State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional information.

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