Crime & Safety
Bergen County Woman Charged For Abusing Toddler, 2, At School: Prosecutors
A Bergen County woman, 19, was charged with abuse for an incident that occurred while she was a teacher's aide, prosecutors said.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A former teacher's aide from Bergen County has been charged with fourth-degree child abuse in connection with an incident at Apple Montessori School in Wayne, prosecutors said.
Meghan Hornidge, 19, of River Edge was charged for an incident that injured a child in her care back in August, said the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.
According to Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Hornidge caused the 2-year-old to sustain bodily injury when she "slammed and dragged" the child at the school on Aug. 12.
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Valdes' office began investigating the next day, after the assault was reported. Hornidge has been charged with fourth-degree abuse of a child and simple assault via a complaint summons, Valdes said.
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Andrea Vargas, CEO of Apple Montessori Schools, said Hornidge was immediately terminated, and that the school promptly notified parents and authorities.
Read more here.
Patch editor Michele Rotuno-Johnson contributed to the story.
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