SALEM, Ore. (KGW) -- The Marion County District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against a South Salem High School science teacher whose students were burned by a Tesla coil during class.
A spokesman with the district attorney's office said the investigation is ongoing and charges may be filed at a later time, but after a preliminary review of a probable cause statement, a decision was made to not file charges.
Salem Police Lt. Steve Birr says 37-year-old Samuel Dufner was arrested Tuesday and charged with criminal mistreatment after police said he used a Tesla coil to burn images into the skin of some students. He was released from jail after posting $2,000 bail.
Birr says Dufner's students used a Tesla coil during class last Thursday. Toward the end of one period, Dufner noted that it could also be used to mark the skin. Birr says some kids agreed to be volunteers, and Dufner burned "I love mom" into their arm - a heart used to symbolize the word love.
A student who was in class at the time told KGW that Dufner did not force anyone to touch the electricity.
An angry parent complained Friday afternoon, starting the investigation.
The Salem-Keizer School District placed Dufner on leave.
A Tesla coil is a type of transformer invented by Nikola Tesla in 1891.
