Crime & Safety
Fresh Meadows Teacher Repeatedly Punched Special Needs Student: NYPD
Hector Hernandez, 51, stands accused of leaving a student with a black eye and bloodied lip Wednesday, according to police.
BAYSIDE, QUEENS — A Queens teacher’s assistant repeatedly punched a special needs student in the face, leaving her with a black eye and bloody lip, after she tried to leave the classroom, police announced Wednesday night.
Hector Hernandez — who has taught at the Fresh Meadows' PS 177 since 2015 — was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he used his fists to stop a 17-year-old girl from walking out, according to government records and the NYPD.
Hernandez turned violent after the teen scratched his face, a spokesperson told Patch.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The paraprofessional then punched the student multiple times in the face causing a bloody swollen lip and bruising to her eye," the spokesperson said.
Hernandez, 51, now faces charges of assault, the endangerment of an incompetent (special needs person) and harassment, according to a police report.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A PS 177 representative hung up when reached for comment about the altercation, but a DOE spokeswoman told Patch Hernandez has been suspended and removed from the school.
“This alleged behavior is reprehensible and will not be tolerated," said the spokeswoman. "We are providing support to the school community following this incident.”
This story was updated to include the DOE's comments.
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