An office secretary at Palmer Elementary School was charged Monday with false imprisonment and child abuse after allegedly taping the mouth and hands of a student last week.

Jennifer Carter, 45, was arrested and issued a criminal summons on the misdemeanor charges.

She is accused of binding the the rowdy 6-year-old with duct tape on Thursday. He had been sent to the principal’s office for being disruptive in class.

The first-grader’s mother, Ashlye Tenner, said the charges were appropriate.

“I’m pleased that the DPD is taking this as seriously as I took it,” she said. “I think this will send a message, obviously, to her, but also the principal, who didn’t handle it right, and to the school district that this kind of treatment of children is a serious matter and shouldn’t be tolerated.”

Carter is placed on paid leave, but the school district intends to fire her, according to a statement issued this evening.

“The district maintains its investigation of this matter and is working closely with the Denver Police Department,” the district stated. “Based on the evidence confirmed at this stage of the investigation, the district is taking action to immediately terminate the employee.

“This is a deeply troubling incident, and this type of conduct is completely reprehensible and inexcusable.”