A 21-year-old New York City Department of Education employee was arrested Thursday afternoon and accused of hitting a 3-year-old child multiple times while on duty at a Bronx elementary school. Mercedes Camacho now faces a charge of endangering the welfare of a child following the alleged incident at P.S. 121 Throop.
According to the NYPD, Camacho was arrested in Allerton on Thursday afternoon, as reported by News 12 Bronx. Police say she was on duty at the time she was taken into custody at P.S. 121 Throop, where she is accused of striking the young child repeatedly. The NYPD has charged her with endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the allegations.
Arraignment and Next Court Date
Camacho was arraigned Friday and released on her own recognizance, per the same account. The case has been adjourned to December 9, when it is expected to return to court.
Under New York law, endangering the welfare of a child is classified as a class A misdemeanor, according to New York State Senate records on Penal Law § 260.10. The charge covers conduct knowingly likely to be injurious to a child's physical, mental, or moral welfare.
DOE Calls It an Open Investigation
The New York City Department of Education has declined to comment on the case, describing the matter only as an open investigation, the station's report notes. The agency's Office of Special Investigations is tasked with looking into allegations of improper and unlawful conduct toward students, including corporal punishment and verbal abuse, according to NYC Public Schools.
No further details about the specific circumstances of the alleged incident, Camacho's exact role at the school, or any employment action have been made public. The case remains pending as it heads toward its December court date.
