A preschool teacher at Excelled Montessori Plus, identified as 29-year-old Alfredo Marmolejo, has been terminated from his job following his arrest on charges of injuring children in his care. According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Marmolejo was arrested Tuesday on a charge of injury to a child based on surveillance footage that captures him in aggressive interactions with three toddlers aged two—a detail reported by KSAT 12 News. The footage showed him grabbing a toddler by the arm and slamming her down in a chair, hitting another child in the head, and bumping into another causing the child to fall and strike his head on a table.
Following the incident and Marmolejo's subsequent arrest, the school reassured parents of their topmost priorities which included the safety and well-being of the students as they communicated through a statement obtained by MySA, saying "As soon as we became aware of this situation, we took immediate and decisive actions," and that they have self-reported to the authorities and are fully cooperating with the investigation, but as some parents pointed out the communications from the school have left them with more questions than answers.
During interrogation, Alfredo Marmolejo was quoted as saying, "he did not think what happened in the classroom was that bad," reflecting a concerning disconnect with the gravity of the situation, as he suggested "his emotions got the best of him." This remark and details of the arrest were shared by MySA. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has urged that any parents who are worried their children may have been affected should come forward and contact the department with concerns or any additional information.
The community's trust has been shaken and the incident highlights an ongoing need for vigilance in childcare environments, parents Colin and Rachel Odesanya, whose child was not involved, told KSAT 12 News after receiving a general email from the school about an incident, without ample details, expressing their concern and the critical nature of transparent communication in such serious matters. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with additional information on Marmolejo to call 210-335-6000 or email [email protected].
