Incident at New Jersey Kindergarten Raises Concerns
A kindergarten in New Jersey is under scrutiny after reports emerged alleging that aides physically assaulted a five-year-old girl, forcefully putting her in a chair and hitting her head against a metal cabinet.
The mother of the child, Mariah, is seeking clarity from school officials and local law enforcement following the distressing incident that occurred at John Fenwick Academy in Salem. She described her disbelief, emphasizing, “As a parent, it’s our instinct to shield our children, but this—this is shocking for a kindergarten setting.”
Mariah recounted that she got a call from the principal around noon on Thursday. The principal claimed her daughter was misbehaving in class and asked Mariah to come to the school immediately—this was less than two hours after the alleged incident.
Upon her arrival, school personnel explained what had transpired, and she was urged to ask whether the police had been contacted and where a supposed unidentified expert was located.
“I wanted to know where the aides were during this event,” Mariah stated, “but they mentioned one had gone home, and they didn’t plan to contact police.”
Feeling overwhelmed, she shared, “I think I just froze, couldn’t process it.”
Eyewitness staff reported that one aide had acted aggressively, forcibly taking the child and impacting her head against the cabinet. Mariah noted that after this, her daughter displayed bruising on her limbs and seemed anxious about returning to school.
The employment status of the aides involved remains unclear at this time.
In a statement, school officials reassured the community: “The primary goal of Salem School District is to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students. We are dedicated to providing a safe, caring environment for everyone.”
They added, “We take concerns seriously and handle all issues with diligence and fairness, adhering to procedures and regulations.”
Although no official charges have been brought against the aides yet, the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, along with New Jersey’s Division of Children and Families, is actively investigating the situation.
