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Background: A photo of the school bus that was hit by a rock on Jan. 7 (New Jersey State Police). Inset: Hernando Garciamorales (Bergen County Sheriff”s Office).
Garciamorales faces a slew of serious charges, including aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief, resisting arrest by flight, and hindering apprehension, as reported by the New Jersey State Police. The incident occurred when the school bus, headed northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike, was struck by a baseball-sized rock, resulting in the young girl’s grievous injuries. She required surgery but is expected to make a recovery. Thankfully, no other passengers on the bus were harmed.
The bus was returning to Yeshivat Noam school following a third-grade field trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, according to local ABC affiliate WABC. The attack left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers of such reckless acts.
Authorities discovered Garciamorales at a makeshift campsite in Bergen County, where the incident had unfolded. Subsequent investigations linked him to several other rock-throwing incidents in the area, although specifics on these additional occurrences remain undisclosed. The arrest and subsequent revelations underscore the broader issue of public safety and the need for vigilance in protecting our communities.
Police said they found Garciamorales at a “self-made campsite” within Bergen County, where the alleged incident took place. After his arrest, police said further investigation found that Garciamorales was connected to “multiple rock-throwing incidents” in the county. Further details about those alleged incidents were not provided.
Garciamorales is being held at Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing, police said. His next court date was not provided.