Children’s safety debates rise after Oregon high school teacher burns students in Tesla coil experiment, local police authorities say in a report released on Thursday afternoon.
Police authorities in Oregon are now investigating the case of a possibly mentally ill science professor after several high school students suffered injuries during his experiments. According to their testimonies, the teacher used Tesla coil to burn messages on their arms.
Samuel Dufner, had a good reputation among his fellow teachers at the South Salem High School, in Oregon. His credibility was, nevertheless, questioned after several students complained that the science professor intentionally harmed them during his class.
Reports show that Dufner requested his students to volunteer for a Tesla coil experiment. He, then, tried to burn the words ‘I love you mom’ on the students’ arm in order to show the effects of the Tesla coil. The high school science professor is now facing charges of first – degree criminal mistreatment.
The professor was arrested on Tuesday and imprisoned at the Marion County jail. His $2,000 bail was immediately paid by teacher’s relatives. Samuel Dufner’s investigation continues and further charges could arise after the police investigation is completed.
Parents are now worried that the high school teacher could get away unpunished, given that Dufner was released on Thursday.
Their fears were further fueled by the declaration of a Marion County Deputy District Attorney, Amy Queen. The latter declared that no such charges were set against the high school teacher as the information on the probable cause statement needs further evidence.
Since the police investigation did not manage to gather sufficient evidence to sustain the parents’ case against the aggressive science teacher, Dufner’s case has been “no-actioned”.
Nevertheless, the County Deputy calmed parents down by telling them that authorities will continue to look into the matter and to gather as many testimonies as possible.
Amy Queen further added that the court cannot file any formal charges against Dufner if the previously mentioned step is not accomplished. If the Oregon police department gathers enough evidence, Dufner could be taken to jail again.
The boarding commission at the South Salem high school was the first to oppose the court’s decision to drop charges against the science professor.They have, therefore, declared on Thursday that they plan to carry out their own investigation, if Dufner is not criminally charged.
Meanwhile, the science teacher remains under administrative leave until all investigations are concluded. His career and reputation could suffer further prejudices as the entire community is asking for justice.
Image Source: NY Daily News
