A teacher forced a 10-year-old boy to lick his desk clean after he was caught drawing on it.
The bizarre punishment was meted out at a school in Albany, New York – and now the boy's parents are demanding action against the teacher.
George and Latonia Spencer said they were horrified when their son told them about the incident.
"(The teacher) put my son's health and safety at risk," the mum told local news.
The parents complained to the school and authorities to try to get the teacher reprimanded, but say they have been stonewalled.
In fact, they said the matter was made worse when their son was transferred to another class, which he found difficult. They also claim the teacher told other students not to speak to the boy.
Mum Latonia said: "We thought about going to the board, but after we were shut down by the superintendent I really felt like they wouldn't do anything and we really got to a point where we felt helpless."
Dr. Brian Howard, interim superintendent for public schools, said in a statement: "If the facts show a complaint is accurate or partially accurate, corrective measures are taken and the parent is informed. Information regarding a specific student, staff member or parent is confidential and cannot be shared."