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NJ School Janitors Allegedly Bound And Gagged Boys In Bathroom, But "Without Malice"
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 5, 2012
Modified Mar 5, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 5, 2012
Modified Mar 5, 2012
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Two custodians at a northern New Jersey elementary school have been suspended for allegedly binding and gagging four young boys in a school bathroom last week and then taking pictures of them. But don't be alarmed—according to the Long Branch Schools Superintendent, the workers were just "horsing around."
The incident, which was first reported by Long Branch Patch, occurred on Thursday in a boys' bathroom that was supposed to be closed for maintenance. Surveillance cameras show the boys, all under the age of ten, entering the restroom, and CBS 2 reports, "a student later told a parent that he and the other boys were tied up by the men, suggesting it may have started as something of a game or prank." The unidentified custodians allegedly used caution tape to bind and gag the boys. Then the workers took photos, probably to make sure there was ample evidence of their breathtaking stupidity.
Parents reported the incident to the principal, who called the police. But the two men have not been arrested, and local prosecutors have concluded the incident was not sexual in nature. Long Branch Schools Superintendent Michael Salvatore believes the employees had just intended to "horse around" with the boys, and tells CBS 2, "It has been expressed to us this was in jest without malice and I hope that’s accurate but in the end, unfortunately, the misconduct leads us to provide some consequences for the employees." Restricting their access to caution tape would probably be a good place to start. That and keeping them away from the children.
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bound gag
custodians
education
horseplay
new jersey
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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