Teen Pleads Guilty In Middletown High Attack That Injured Teacher, Student: DA

MIDDLETOWN, NY — A local teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday to an assault count for an attack at Middletown High School which injured a student and teacher.

Jennifer Ramirez-Castelan, 19, of Middletown, entered the guilty plea in Orange County Court to second-degree assault, a felony.

Ramirez-Castelan’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 22, and she is expected to be sentenced to five years of probation, according to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.

“Our schools must remain free of violence where students and staff feel safe at all times,” Hoovler said, in an announcement. “Where, as here, violent perpetrators cause injuries to others on school grounds, we will leverage our working partnerships with local school districts and law enforcement to make sure these incidents are fully investigated and offenders held accountable.”

According to Hoovler, Ramirez-Castelan and five of her fellow students attacked another student on March 25, 2025. A teacher intervened and tried to protect the student who was being attacked. Both the targeted student and teacher sustained injuries, Hoovler said.

Middletown police arrested Ramirez-Castelan, an 18-year-old co-defendant, and four juveniles whose cases were filed in Orange County Family Court.

At the plea hearing, Ramirez-Castelan admitted to intentionally causing physical injury to a school employee, Hoovler said.