Crime & Safety
Cafeteria Worker Punches Student At Brooklyn School: NYPD
A Crown Heights school lunch helper told a student to clean up a cafeteria table then repeatedly punched the teen, officials said.
CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — A school kitchen worker stands accused of punching a Brooklyn student after she told them to clean up a mess on a cafeteria table, officials said Thursday.
Josette Sandy, 59, was arrested in Crown Heights at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on charges that she assaulted and harassed a 16-year-old, police said.
The assault happened at Clara Barton High School at 901 Classon Ave., the New York Post reported.
Find out what's happening in Prospect Heights-Crown Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“The alleged behavior is completely unacceptable," said Education department press secretary Jenna Lyle. "There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our students.”
Sandy, a school lunch helper, grabbed the student by the hair and punched the teen in the head and back, police said.
Find out what's happening in Prospect Heights-Crown Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The student reported having back and head pain but refused medical attention, police said.
Neither police nor the Education department would specify to which school Sandy was assigned, but Lyle said she was suspended and will be terminated if convicted.
The nonprofit SeeThruNY reports Sandy is an hourly worker paid $38,368 for her services in 2022.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
