Police investigate two attacks at middle school
BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
ABERDEEN - Two separate incidents at the Matawan Avenue Middle School last week left two 12-year-old boys injured.
The first incident occurred on Thursday, Deputy Chief John Powers said. The incident occurred during the day and was reported to police later that night by a parent of one of the kids involved, Powers said.
The parent indicated that her child had been choked by another 12-year-old boy, Powers said.
The parent also signed a juvenile complaint against the alleged attacker.
The next incident occurred on Friday and left one 12-year-old boy in the hospital.
Powers said that it appears that two 12-year-olds got into an altercation and one was pushed and hit his head. The incident occurred at 10:30 a.m., and police were called to the school at 10:42 a.m.
Police Officer Matthew McDow responded to the call. When he arrived, the victim was conscious, but in need of medical attention, Powers said. McDow requested an ambulance, and the student was taken by the Rural Metro ambulance service to Riverview Medical Center. He was later transferred to Jersey Shore Medical Center, Powers said.
As of Monday, the student's condition was said to be improving, according to Powers.
Powers said that the investigation of this incident is ongoing, and police are still trying to piece together information on the matter.
The Aberdeen Police Department is working with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office on the investigation. They are currently in the process of interviewing witnesses, Powers said.
Powers said that it is not common that incidents of violence like this are reported, but when you put 1,000 12- to 14-year-old kids in a building, there’s bound to be conflicts.
Aberdeen resident Joseph McAleer, who has a daughter in the middle school, said that he feels these incidents are extremely common, they just aren't being reported. McAleer said he doesn't understand why a parent had to report Thursday's incident to the police.
"Big incidents are being reported, little ones are getting swept under the rug," McAleer said.
McAleer said that he plans to bring up the subject at the next Board of Education meeting on May 23. He said he is going to demand answers from the board as to why children are getting assaulted at school and it's not being reported.
He said he feels the school district puts these incidents off as horseplay, but they are really assault.
"When somebody puts their hands on somebody else, that warrants assault," he said. "What's the difference between Thursday's incident and Friday's?"
It is not known if any of the parties involved were reprimanded by the school district.
Superintendent of Schools Bruce Quinn could not be reached for comment on either incident.
Anyone with information on either incident can contact the Aberdeen Detective Bureau at (732) 566-2054.
BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
ABERDEEN - Two separate incidents at the Matawan Avenue Middle School last week left two 12-year-old boys injured.
The first incident occurred on Thursday, Deputy Chief John Powers said. The incident occurred during the day and was reported to police later that night by a parent of one of the kids involved, Powers said.
The parent indicated that her child had been choked by another 12-year-old boy, Powers said.
The parent also signed a juvenile complaint against the alleged attacker.
The next incident occurred on Friday and left one 12-year-old boy in the hospital.
Powers said that it appears that two 12-year-olds got into an altercation and one was pushed and hit his head. The incident occurred at 10:30 a.m., and police were called to the school at 10:42 a.m.
Police Officer Matthew McDow responded to the call. When he arrived, the victim was conscious, but in need of medical attention, Powers said. McDow requested an ambulance, and the student was taken by the Rural Metro ambulance service to Riverview Medical Center. He was later transferred to Jersey Shore Medical Center, Powers said.
As of Monday, the student's condition was said to be improving, according to Powers.
Powers said that the investigation of this incident is ongoing, and police are still trying to piece together information on the matter.
The Aberdeen Police Department is working with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office on the investigation. They are currently in the process of interviewing witnesses, Powers said.
Powers said that it is not common that incidents of violence like this are reported, but when you put 1,000 12- to 14-year-old kids in a building, there’s bound to be conflicts.
Aberdeen resident Joseph McAleer, who has a daughter in the middle school, said that he feels these incidents are extremely common, they just aren't being reported. McAleer said he doesn't understand why a parent had to report Thursday's incident to the police.
"Big incidents are being reported, little ones are getting swept under the rug," McAleer said.
McAleer said that he plans to bring up the subject at the next Board of Education meeting on May 23. He said he is going to demand answers from the board as to why children are getting assaulted at school and it's not being reported.
He said he feels the school district puts these incidents off as horseplay, but they are really assault.
"When somebody puts their hands on somebody else, that warrants assault," he said. "What's the difference between Thursday's incident and Friday's?"
It is not known if any of the parties involved were reprimanded by the school district.
Superintendent of Schools Bruce Quinn could not be reached for comment on either incident.
Anyone with information on either incident can contact the Aberdeen Detective Bureau at (732) 566-2054.
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