Hernando Garciamorales, 40, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 7 incident in which a rock thrown through a school bus window struck a third-grade girl and fractured her skull. The child underwent surgery and is recovering. Garciamorales was found at a Bergen County campsite and is being held on multiple charges; police say he confessed to this and several other rock-throwing incidents. Authorities have found no evidence the attack was bias-related.
New Jersey Man Arrested After Rock Shatters School Bus Window, Third-Grader Suffers Skull Fracture
New Jersey man fractures girl's skull by allegedly throwing rock through school bus window, arrest made
A New Jersey man has been arrested after authorities say a rock he allegedly threw through a school bus window struck a third-grade girl and fractured her skull.
A New Jersey girl was injured when someone threw a rock through the window of a school bus as she was with a class returning from a field trip, authorities said.
Incident and Arrest
State police identified the suspect as Hernando Garciamorales, 40, of Palisades Park. He was taken into custody on Saturday in connection with the Jan. 7 incident on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike, the New Jersey State Police said. Police located Garciamorales at a campsite in Old Croaker County Park in Bergen County.
An image of a school bus that was hit by a rock as it was returning a group of kids from a field trip in New Jersey.
Victim and Medical Update
The injured child was one of several third-grade students returning to Yeshivat Noam, a Jewish day school in Paramus, after a class trip to the Liberty Science Center when a large rock shattered a bus window. The girl suffered a skull fracture, underwent surgery, and is reported to be recovering. "The girl will be OK," Teaneck Mayor Mark J. Schwartz told The New York Post.
A New Jersey State Police vehicle.
Charges and Investigation
Garciamorales is being held in the Bergen County Jail awaiting a court appearance. He faces multiple 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. Law enforcement officials told the school that Garciamorales confessed to this specific incident and admitted involvement in several other rock-throwing episodes in the area. Investigators have indicated there is no evidence the attack was bias-related.
"We are deeply grateful for the swift, coordinated response and outstanding communication among all law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and community organizations involved," Rabbi Chaim Hagler, Head of School at Yeshivat Noam, said. "Their collaboration underscores the importance of strong partnerships between schools, community leaders, and public safety officials. Our primary focus remains the safety of our children."
State police were contacted for comment, according to the report.
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