A New Jersey kindergarten aide is under investigation after allegedly grabbing a 5-year-old student, forcing her into a chair, and slamming her head into a metal cabinet, leaving the child covered in bruises, according to authorities.
The incident reportedly occurred Thursday at John Fenwick Academy in Salem, prompting the girl’s mother, Mariah, to demand answers from school officials and law enforcement.
“As a parent, you do everything you can to protect your children, but I never expected something like this in a kindergarten classroom,” Mariah told CBS Philadelphia. She said the school initially contacted her around noon to report her daughter’s misbehavior, but she was only summoned to the school less than two hours later to learn of the alleged assault.
“I asked where the paraprofessional was, and they said they sent her home. Then I asked about the police, and they said they don’t contact them and are conducting an internal investigation,” Mariah said.
A staff member who witnessed the incident filed a police report stating the aide forcefully placed the student in a chair, causing her head to strike a metal cabinet. Mariah added that bruises have since appeared on her daughter’s arms, legs, and neck, making her reluctant to return to school.
The current employment status of the aide has not been disclosed. Mariah said she has not been able to speak with the teacher who reported the incident to police.
In a statement, Salem City School District emphasized that the safety and well-being of students remain a top priority. “We are deeply committed to maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment for everyone in our community. Any concern is taken seriously, and all matters are handled internally with care, thoroughness, and fairness, in full compliance with established procedures and the law,” the district said.
No charges have been filed against the aide at this time. The Salem County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families are investigating the matter.