HOMESTEAD, Fla. (CBS12) — A South Florida Christian School teacher is behind bars after he allegedly taped a 13-year-old boy’s mouth shut.

Homestead Police responded to First United Methodist Christian School on Northcombe Avenue in Homestead after receiving reports from the 13-year-old student’s parents, who alleged Alvarez taped their child’s mouth shut during a disagreement.

After an investigation, police arrested Alvarez and booked him on counts of simple battery.

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Alvarez arrived at the jail in West Miami-Dade on Monday.

Some parents at the school say they were stunned by the allegations, describing Alvarez as a well-liked teacher who had been with the school for years.

Yanely Webb, a parent, told WSVN she has had children enrolled at the school for nearly a decade and had never experienced issues before.

“I’ve had my kids here for 8, going on to 9 years. My son graduated from middle school, and it’s been a fantastic school. Never had any problems,” Webb said.

Webb, who also works in education, said she was shaken by the allegations.

“I was truly shocked. I’m a professor. I’m a teacher myself, and it’s heartbreaking. It’s horrible what happened. I do not know that person, but I can attest that it has been nothing but wonderful here,” she said.

The school has reportedly not yet publicly commented on the arrest.