February 8, 2007, 9:48 AM EST

MASSENA, N.Y. (AP) _ A special education teacher was arrested after he was accused of strip-searching a 14-year-old male student while looking for a missing book.

Police charged Terrell Porter, a 58-year-old teacher at J.W. Leary Junior High School, with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Porter, a teacher in the district for 14 years, was arraigned Tuesday in Massena Village Court.

According to court documents, the incident occurred Jan. 19 when a flip-book used in art class turned up missing. Porter ordered a student he suspected to go with him to the boys' locker room, where he ordered the teen to remove his clothes. The boy was permitted to go into a bathroom stall for privacy.

The boy handed his clothing to Porter, who opened the door of the bathroom stall, placed his hand on the naked boy's shoulder and ordered him to turn around, the documents said. The $5 book _ a series of pictures that appear to move when flipped _ was not found.

The student reported the incident to school officials, who notified state police.

Superintendent Douglas Hartley said district policy allows strip searches only by an authorized school official with permission from the superintendent or school attorney. He said Porter was suspended with pay and the school was cooperating with authorities. The state Education Department is also conducting an investigation.

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Information from: The Watertown Daily Times, www.watertowndailytimes.com