ELK GROVE, Calif. -- A third-grade student says he and his classmates had their mouths taped shut at an Elk Grove elementary school. Now, a school employee has been placed on administrative leave.

The boy's mother says she found out over the weekend when she overheard her son, Jack Ortega (pictured, right), talking about the alleged incident, which he says happened six months ago.

"She put tape on our mouths. Then, when we had to leave, she said if we talk again, she'll get the same tape and put it back on our mouths," Jack Ortega said.

Some parents say a school librarian taped the students' mouths shut with tape because they were too loud in class.

"I think about all these babies in line with tape because they get out of control. But kids talk. He's only in the third grade," said Jack Ortega's mother, Norma Ortega.

On Wednesday, district leaders confirmed that an Arthur Butler Elementary employee has been put on paid administrative leave, which, they say, is standard procedure while officials investigate the allegations.

The alleged incident took place in October, but a complaint wasn't filed with district leaders until last Monday.

"The district is disheartened whenever there's an incident that involves children, and we are conducting an investigation," said Elk Grove Unified School District chief of staff Martin Cavanaugh.

But Norma Ortega says the district's statement gives little comfort and her trust in the classroom has been ripped away.

"It bothers me to think I'm at work, and his teacher is there. And (I'm) thinking she's a wonderful teacher that I always thought she was. But I don't trust her," Norma Ortega said.

The school district said its investigation could take up to 30 days.