NJ Man Threw Rock At School Bus, Fracturing 8-Year-Old's Skull: Police

TEANECK, NJ — A Palisades Park man has been arrested in the rock-throwing attack on a school bus that fractured a third-grader's skull, authorities said.

Hernando Garciamorales, 40, has been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief, resisting arrest by flight, and hindering, New Jersey State Police said.

He also has been linked to rock-throwing incidents in Bogota, state police said.

Garciamorales was arrested Friday in the attack on the bus on Wednesday on the New Jersey Turnpike, state police said.

The bus was carrying a group of third-grade students from Yeshivat Noam, an Orthodox Jewish school in Paramus, authorities have said. They were returning from a class trip to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City when the rock — described by a school official as the size of a baseball — shattered the bus window about 2 p.m. as it neared Exit 70A/B to Teaneck. The rock hit the 8-year-old girl, causing a skull fracture that required surgery, authorities said.

Garciamorales was found Friday at a "self-made campsite" in Old Croaker County Park in Bergen County, part of Overpeck County Park, state police said.

He is being held at the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing, authorities said.

'We're Grateful'

Teaneck police said officials had "acted swiftly and collaboratively" to find the suspect in a message to residents on Sunday.

“Our hearts remain with the child and her family," Township Manager Jaclyn Hashmat said, "and we're grateful she's recovering."

"We are relieved that the person responsible is off the streets and no longer poses a threat to our community," Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr said.

Anyone with more information about the incident can call the state police at 732-441-4500, ext. 1401.

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