DENVER — The mother of a 6-year-old boy whose mouth was taped shut by a school secretary is suing the school system.

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An elementary school secretary, Jennifer Carter, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child abuse charge after the October incident. Carter, 45, taped the unruly child's hands and mouth with masking tape.

Ashlye Tenner, the mother of the student, filed a legal notice to Denver Public Schools that she intends to sue for $500,000.

Carter was sentenced last month to probation and has been fired.

The boy's mother told KMGH-TV that her son was taped after he was sent to the principal's office for misbehaving in class.