Ohio teacher admits to zapping students

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A science teacher in Mount Vernon, Ohio, says he zapped several of his students with an electric lab tool to inspire them to learn about science.

Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher Dino D'Ettorre admitted giving some of his students a high-voltage, static-electricity shock using a Tesla coil device as part of his teaching curriculum, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch said Thursday.

D'Ettorre maintains participating students agreed to take part in the demonstration and were informed beforehand of a temporary mark occasionally caused by the device.

"I told the kids it may or may not leave a mark on the arm ... Sometimes it would; sometimes it would not," the 51-year-old teacher said.

D'Ettorre detailed the school incident while testifying Wednesday in a hearing for fellow teacher John Freshwater, who has been accused of using a similar device on his students.

The hearing was prompted by a lawsuit filed by the parents of one of Freshwater's students.

The Dispatch said the family alleges Freshwater's device allegedly left a cross-shaped burn on the teen. Freshwater denies having burned the student.