SALEM, NJ – A kindergarten aide at John Fenwick Academy in Salem has been accused of slamming a 5-year-old girl’s head into a metal cabinet after grabbing the child and forcing her into a chair. The alleged assault, which left the young girl covered in bruises, has led to an investigation by both the Salem Police Department and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
The Alleged Incident
According to CBS Philadelphia, the assault occurred inside the classroom on Thursday, leaving the child visibly shaken and injured. Mariah, the child’s mother, is now demanding answers from school officials and police, who were not immediately contacted by the school.
The incident began when the 5-year-old girl was accused of misbehaving in class. The school’s principal contacted the mother around noon Thursday, informing her that her daughter was acting out. Less than two hours later, Mariah was asked to come to the school immediately.
Upon arrival, she was told that her daughter had been assaulted by the kindergarten aide. Mariah was also told that the paraprofessional had been sent home and that the school was not contacting the police, opting instead to conduct an internal investigation.
A Mother’s Distress
“When I got to the school, I felt like I was in a daze. I had no idea what had happened, but I could see the bruises on my daughter’s body,” said Mariah to CBS News. “As a parent, it’s like you do whatever you can to protect your kids, but I never expected this in a kindergarten class.”…