Teen gets probation for fire that caused $2M in damage
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/21/06
BY KAREN SUDOL
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — A judge Friday ordered a teenager to serve a three-year probationary term for starting a fire on Labor Day 2004 at the Matawan Avenue Middle School that caused more than $2 million in damages.
Superior Court Judge Eugene Iadanza also said the 14-year-old Aberdeen boy must perform 300 hours of community service, continue with counseling, which will include fire awareness education, and is prohibited from returning to the school, according to Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin.
The teen, who has not been identified by authorities because of his age, faced a three-year term at the New Jersey Training School for Boys in Monroe. He did not attend the middle school.
"I know everyone was going for more," said middle school Principal Walter Uszenski, who attended the sentencing. "But when you listened to the judge, I could understand where he was coming from. Justice was served, and I think the judge was right in what he gave out."
Uszenski said he spoke at the sentencing about the impact the fire had on the school's teachers, students and their families.
The fire delayed the scheduled Sept. 9, 2004, school opening by two weeks and forced the closing of several damaged classrooms. While school officials converted a gymnasium into space for four classes, about 125 students were relocated to Lloyd Road Elementary School.
The delayed opening forced families to find babysitters for their children and the school to hold classes during the holidays, Uszenski said he told the judge.
"The hallways were crowded. The classrooms were crowded. It was hard for the children," he said Friday.
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinn, who also attended the sentencing, spoke about the impact on the district, Uszenski said. Quinn could not be reached for comment Friday.
The fire was started by the then-12-year-old boy and another juvenile when they climbed onto the school's roof and set fire to stored materials. It caused almost $2.1 million in damage, according to school officials. Valentin would not say whether the office has identified the second juvenile.
While the district only was responsible for a $5,000 deductible, its insurance company — New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group — indicated last year it may consider legal action against the teenager and his family.
The fire stalled completion of a $15.2 million construction project that aimed to add 42,000 square feet to the 980-student school.
A trial before Iadanza in December and January resulted in a second-degree aggravated arson conviction for the teenager.
An investigation by Aberdeen police and the county Prosecutor's Office led to his arrest in April at an Aberdeen shopping center. He later was released from the county Youth Detention Center, Freehold Township, and monitored electronically.
Valentin said the teen is no longer being monitored electronically.
This story includes material from previous Press stories.
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/21/06
BY KAREN SUDOL
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — A judge Friday ordered a teenager to serve a three-year probationary term for starting a fire on Labor Day 2004 at the Matawan Avenue Middle School that caused more than $2 million in damages.
Superior Court Judge Eugene Iadanza also said the 14-year-old Aberdeen boy must perform 300 hours of community service, continue with counseling, which will include fire awareness education, and is prohibited from returning to the school, according to Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin.
The teen, who has not been identified by authorities because of his age, faced a three-year term at the New Jersey Training School for Boys in Monroe. He did not attend the middle school.
"I know everyone was going for more," said middle school Principal Walter Uszenski, who attended the sentencing. "But when you listened to the judge, I could understand where he was coming from. Justice was served, and I think the judge was right in what he gave out."
Uszenski said he spoke at the sentencing about the impact the fire had on the school's teachers, students and their families.
The fire delayed the scheduled Sept. 9, 2004, school opening by two weeks and forced the closing of several damaged classrooms. While school officials converted a gymnasium into space for four classes, about 125 students were relocated to Lloyd Road Elementary School.
The delayed opening forced families to find babysitters for their children and the school to hold classes during the holidays, Uszenski said he told the judge.
"The hallways were crowded. The classrooms were crowded. It was hard for the children," he said Friday.
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinn, who also attended the sentencing, spoke about the impact on the district, Uszenski said. Quinn could not be reached for comment Friday.
The fire was started by the then-12-year-old boy and another juvenile when they climbed onto the school's roof and set fire to stored materials. It caused almost $2.1 million in damage, according to school officials. Valentin would not say whether the office has identified the second juvenile.
While the district only was responsible for a $5,000 deductible, its insurance company — New Jersey School Boards Association Insurance Group — indicated last year it may consider legal action against the teenager and his family.
The fire stalled completion of a $15.2 million construction project that aimed to add 42,000 square feet to the 980-student school.
A trial before Iadanza in December and January resulted in a second-degree aggravated arson conviction for the teenager.
An investigation by Aberdeen police and the county Prosecutor's Office led to his arrest in April at an Aberdeen shopping center. He later was released from the county Youth Detention Center, Freehold Township, and monitored electronically.
Valentin said the teen is no longer being monitored electronically.
This story includes material from previous Press stories.
