Updated 03/08/2012 04:23 PM
Flushing Teacher Removed From Classroom Following Alleged Assault On Student
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A Queens teacher was under arrest Thursday and accused of abusing a six-year-old girl.
Grace Peterson-Hagendorf, 59, is charged with assault following a Wednesday incident at P.S. 22 in Flushing.
Hagendorf, according to a teachers' union representative, was working as a substitute that morning, watching a classroom while the regular teacher participated in a workshop.
According to sources, Hagendorf is accused of twisting the neck of a student, causing pain and swelling.
The union representative told NY1 that Hagendorf was upset to learn about the charges and did not agree with the accusation, but still cooperated with police.
Hagendorf has been removed from the classroom, pending the outcome of the case.
Parents at P.S. 22 told NY1 they were not notified about the arrest and alleged assault, and some were concerned, following a recent string of arrests of Department of Education employees.
Hagendorf is the ninth city school employee arrested since the start of the year.
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said in a general message to DOE employees, "Keep your hands off our children. We don't want any inappropriate contact, any inappropriate type of relationships at all. Use common sense as far as how you interface with our students."