Duct-taping case moves on to DA

by Caleb Fort

The Daily Lobo

The Santa Fe police have finished their investigation of an incident where a UNM teaching intern allegedly duct-taped several Chaparral Elementary School students to their desks.

However, the police are not releasing further details, and no charges have been filed.

"At this point the investigation is basically complete," Deputy Chief Eric Johnson said. "The case is being referred to the district attorney."

Johnson said the police interviewed eight students who were involved. He said the district attorney will decide whether or not to file charges, and what charges would be filed.

Roxane Romero from the First Judicial District Attorney's office said the office had not received the case as of Wednesday.

Breda Bova, associate dean of the College of Education, said the student had a bachelor's degree, and was working in the intern program to earn a teaching license.

Greg Johnston, a UNM spokesman, said the intern was immediately released from the program in the College of Education. He said the College of Education began writing a letter in response to the incident immediately after it occurred, but he said the letter may no longer be relevant and will probably not be published.

Johnston said the letter did not discuss any details of the incident, but illustrated how the College of Education teaches interns various classroom management techniques.

He said the incident was an isolated event, and was not the result of any problems with the College of Education.