Abuse Charges Leveled At Special Education Teacher From Howell

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — Christine Paduch of Howell, a special education teacher in Old Bridge, has been accused of "aggressively grabbing" an eight-year-old student in her class, Middlesex County police authorities said.

Paduch, 42, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child on Monday, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Donald Fritz Jr. of the Old Bridge Police Department announced on Wednesday.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Paduch on April 12, during school hours, "grabbed the victim (her student) in an aggressive manner with two hands on the victim's wrist and leg and threw the victim under her desk."

Also, the affidavit says the special-needs student, age 8, said he was forced to wear his sweatshirt "backwards over his face."

The incident took place at Madison Park Elementary School in Old Bridge, police said.

Two staff members witnessed the incident, the affidavit says. The child had injuries to his arm and these were photographed, the documents say.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office was contacted by the state Department of Child Protection on April 13, court documents say.

Detective Ryan Hall of the Old Bridge Police Department and Detective Oscar Ayala of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation of the allegations, the prosecutor's office said.

Paduch was arrested April 17 without incident and charged with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

On April 18, Paduch had her initial appearance before Superior Court Judge Craig Corson, and was released from custody with conditions, the prosecutor's office said.

Authorities said the investigation is active and anyone with information is asked to call Hall of the Old Bridge Police Department at 732-721-5600, ext 3202, or Ayala of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-4194.