In a distressing turn of events, two New York City school teachers have been taken into custody on Thursday, each accused of assaulting young students in separate incidents at schools located in Manhattan and the Bronx.
The first arrest involved educator Brian Thomas, 33, who was apprehended after allegedly striking a 12-year-old boy inside PS 161 in Manhattanville shortly after 12:30 p.m., as per police reports. The young boy was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, thankfully without serious injuries. The motive behind Thomas's actions remains unclear at this time. He now faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment.
The second teacher, identified as Mohamed Baksh, 70, was arrested on charges of sexual misconduct. The allegation pertains to Baksh reportedly touching the chest of a 12-year-old female student. Police took him into custody at 1:40 p.m. at 1619 Boston Road, near Crotona Park in the Bronx. The location houses multiple schools on one campus, but considering the age of the student involved, it is presumed that the incident occurred at JHS 98 Herman Ridder, as the other three schools at the address are designated as high schools.
The specifics regarding Baksh's teaching assignment have not been disclosed.