Latest news with #WaterburyJuvenileCourt
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Student, 12, accused of hate crime after school fight where two students ‘had hijabs ripped off'
A middle schooler in Connecticut has been accused of committing a hate crime after a fight with two Muslim students, where they were allegedly beat up. The 12-year-old female student from Wallace Middle School in Waterbury was charged with intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first- and second-degree on Friday through a court-issued summons to Waterbury Juvenile Court following the incident which took place earlier this month. According to reports, the 12-year-old and another female student got into a fight with twin 13-year-old girls who are from Egypt and regularly wear hijabs to school on March 3. One victim was allegedly 'punched in the face and had bruises on her face and a bloody nose' while the other victim 'had something scraped across her neck' which caused 'contusions and bruising,' the chairperson of the local Council of American–Islamic Relations chapter claimed. "On Monday, March 3, the sisters were beaten and had their hijabs ripped off, a spokesperson for the family said at the time, according to local reports. While the initial incident report claimed no students needed medical attention, the report from the Islamic advocacy group said the injuries were enough to require hospital treatment. 'Investigators determined that the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity, meeting the legal definition of a hate crime,' the Waterbury State's Attorney Office said in a joint press release. The City of Waterbury Department of Education said it has taken disciplinary action and enhanced school safety measures. The other female student involved in the fight was referred to a youth diversionary program as an alternative to arrest. Leaders in the community and the school praised investigative efforts in a joint press release and contended that the incident was isolated. 'The students who instigated the incident will be properly disciplined by the school district and face appropriate consequences in the judicial system,' Mayor Paul Pernerewski said. 'While this is an isolated incident, I remain committed to working with the Waterbury Police and the Education Department to ensure our students have a safe and welcoming educational experience.' Farhan Memon, the chairperson of the Connecticut chapter of the Council of American–Islamic Relations disputed whether it was ioslated. 'We vehemently disagree with Waterbury's assessment that this was an isolated case. We've heard from other parents of Muslim students that their kids have been harassed because of their religion,' Memon said. Memon told WTNH News8 on March 11 that the two girls were 'scared to go back to school' due to the assault.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
CT middle schooler facing hate crime charge after altercation involving two Muslim classmates
A 12-year-old girl has been charged with a hate crime after an altercation earlier this month involving two Muslim classmates who claimed they were being bullied at a middle school in Waterbury. The 12-year-old was charged Friday with first- and second-degree intimidation based on bigotry and bias through a court-issued summons to Waterbury Juvenile Court, according to a joint release from Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr., the Waterbury Police Department and the Waterbury Department of Education. City officials noted that a second female student was previously referred to a youth diversionary program as an alternative to arrest, based on her involvement in the incident. The Waterbury Police Department's Juvenile Division's Criminal Investigation Bureau conducted an investigation into a physical altercation involving four seventh-grade students at Wallace Middle School on March 3. 'The investigation included interviews with numerous staff members and students who were present or otherwise involved,' according to officials. Two girls alleged they were assaulted by fellow students at the middle school because of their Muslim beliefs, according to the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Two CT middle school students allegedly assaulted after being bullied for Muslim beliefs A school resource officer assigned to the middle school responded to the altercation. Police said that two of the four girls suffered what were described as minor injuries, adding that no one involved required medical attention. According to Farhan Memon, a spokesperson for CAIR, the two Muslim girls were taken to the hospital by their father. One of them allegedly suffered a bloody nose, some bruises to her face and a swollen eye, Memon said. The other allegedly had something scraped across her neck, which left a mark as well as bruising and contusions. Memon said both girls recently moved to Connecticut from Egypt and have allegedly experienced bullying and harassment since. Days before they were assaulted they allegedly told a teacher at the school that they were being bullied for their Muslim beliefs, Memon said. They both allegedly had their hijabs ripped off during the attack. 'Investigators determined that the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity, meeting the legal definition of a hate crime. The Waterbury State's Attorney's Office reviewed the findings and confirmed this classification,' the joint statement said on Friday. Additionally, the City of Waterbury Department of Education claims they verified the bullying incident, took disciplinary action and implemented 'enhanced school safety measures' in response to the incident. 'While this was not part of a widespread problem, this is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensure our students are safe and respectful of one another,' said Interim Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz. 'I want to commend and thank Chief of Police Fred Spagnolo and Interim Superintendent of Schools Darren Schwartz for their serious and thorough investigations of this matter,' Pernerewski said. 'The students who instigated the incident will be properly disciplined by the school district and face appropriate consequences in the judicial system. While this is an isolated incident, I remain committed to working with the Waterbury Police and the Education Department to ensure our students have a safe and welcoming educational experience.' Spagnolo re-emphasized the department's commitment to investigating all claims of bias-related incidents. 'This investigation reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive school environment. Every student deserves to feel secure and respected in their learning environment, and we will continue to work closely with our school partners to uphold that standard,' he said. Information from Courant reporter Justin Muszynski was used in this report.
