Suspect Arrested for Throwing Rock at School Bus, Seriously Injuring Jewish Child

Authorities have taken a suspect into custody following a rock-throwing attack on the New Jersey Turnpike that left a young Jewish child badly injured.

New Jersey State Police announced Saturday that Hernando Garciamorales, 40, of Palisades Park, was arrested in connection with the incident, which occured on the northbound side of the Turnpike near Exit 70 A/B in Teaneck. Investigators say a rock was hurled at a school bus carrying students to Yeshivat Noam.

According to officials, the rock shattered a bus window and struck an 8-year-old girl, causing a skull fracture and brain bleed, as reported by Belaaz on Thursday. School administrators later informed parents by email that the child will require surgery.

Following an investigation involving the State Police Target Hardening Unit UAS Response Squad and multiple local and county agencies, law enforcement tracked Garciamorales to a “self-made” campsite inside Old Croaker County Park in Bergen County. Authorities also connected him to several similar rock-throwing incidents in Bogota Borough.

Garciamorales has been charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief, resisting arrest by flight, and hindering. He was taken to the Bergen County Jail, where he is being held pending a detention hearing.

The tzibur is asked to continue davening for Gila Bracha bas Michal Ilana.