A postal worker in Rockland County, who was arrested for aggressively shoving a 4-year-old Jewish boy, is facing new charges. This comes amid increasing public anger over the decision to keep the suspect’s name undisclosed.
The 39-year-old mail carrier is set to be arraigned on Saturday with an additional charge of attempted second-degree assault, according to the Ramapo Police Department.
This anticipated development follows a video that surfaced showing a U.S. Postal Service employee assaulting the child. He was initially charged with misdemeanor child endangerment and attempted third-degree assault.
Security footage shows the Orthodox Jewish boy approaching a mailbox while the postal worker’s back was turned. Suddenly, the worker lunged at the boy and forcibly pushed him, sending him crashing to the ground and dislodging his yarmulke, as reported by Monsey Scoop.
The boy quickly got up, grabbed his religious garment, and rushed back to his friends nearby.
Fortunately, the child was unharmed, and authorities are not currently categorizing the incident as a hate crime.
The mail carrier, who lives in Stony Point, was arrested on Thursday, released on his own recognizance, and processed at the Ramapo Town Justice Court.
The Ramapo Police Department has chosen not to disclose the worker’s identity, stating in a press release that identifying suspects is “very rare.” This has led to public frustration, particularly on social media, as residents questioned the lack of transparency regarding the mailman’s identity, who is expected to appear in court again soon.
“Why hide his name?” a Facebook user, JP Gale, commented. “You’re protecting the identity of someone who assaulted a child, and it’s easy to see why.”
Another user, Bill, voiced his concerns stating, “We need this man’s name. He’s dangerous.” Meanwhile, Melissa Arpeggiani Fogarty expressed similar outrage, asking, “Where is this person’s name and press conference? He assaulted a child.”
The U.S. Postal Service did not provide any comments on whether the mail carrier remains employed or about the video of the incident. The Ramapo Town Justice Court also did not respond to inquiries for comment.
