LONG BRANCH, N.J., March 5 (UPI) -- Two janitors at a New Jersey elementary school were suspended after allegedly tying up and gagging four 10-year-old boys, officials said.
The incident occurred March 1 at Gregory Elementary School in Long Branch, WNYW-TV, New York, reported.
The janitors, whose names were not released, allegedly took photographs of the boys after binding their hands and mouths with caution tape in a school bathroom.
The pupils told a teacher, who then alerted authorities.
"After the reports and the review of our security cameras revealed the possibility that the incident took place, parents were notified, as well as the proper authorities. Monmouth County prosecutors, Long Branch police and social services were conducting an investigation regarding the allegations," said a release from Michael Salvatore, superintendent of schools.
Long Branch community members expressed concern about the incident, WCBS-TV, New York, reported.
"I just thought that it was very messed up," said resident Andrea Colbert.
"Emotionally there has been some distress. Certainly parents, myself, we've lost sleep over this thing and students are the priority," Salvatore said.
Salvatore said the janitors may have intended to "horse around" with the boys but it got out of hand.
"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," he said.
The janitors were off the job with pay, pending an investigation.
