The volunteer band director of an East New York school has been arrested for allegedly duct taping a student's mouth shut.
Police say 39-year-old Kenyatte Hughes placed the tape over a 9-year-old student's mouth at I.S. 292 after the child was being disruptive in class. Hughes allegedly told investigators he put tape on the boy's mouth to explain how slavery worked.
Police say the student cut his lip when he tried to take the tape off. The student's parents contacted authorities after finding out what happened.
Hughes was arraigned Wednesday on assault, child endangerment and weapons charges. He remained silent as he left the courthouse.
A Department of Education spokesperson says in a statement, "These charges are deeply troubling, and Mr. Hughes will no longer be allowed in I.S. 292 or any of our schools."
Hughes was previously featured on News 12 during a profile of the school's Soul Tigers Marching Band in 2008.
He is due back in court on Nov. 16.