A Bronx family is seeking justice after their 5-year-old son, Josiah, was allegedly assaulted by a school volunteer at P.S. 72.

The incident has raised serious concerns about student safety and the protocols in place for school volunteers. Parents and community members are now calling for stricter background checks and better monitoring of staff in schools.

Incident Details

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), 35-year-old Liliana Medina was arrested and charged with acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17. Police reports indicate that Medina allegedly picked up Josiah, held him over her head, shook him, and then threw him to the ground. Witnesses say the child screamed in pain, and some staff members rushed to check on him.

The severity of these actions has left the family and community in shock. Josiah suffered bruises from the incident and has since been showing signs of emotional distress. His parents say he is now terrified to return to school, which has affected his daily routine and mental well-being.

Delayed Notification Outrages Parents

Josiah’s mother, Venus Rivera, expressed her distress upon learning about the incident two days after it occurred. “I had to find out from another parent that my child was hurt. The school never called me. How could this happen?” Rivera said, holding back tears. She believes the delay in notifying her about the incident is unacceptable and demands an explanation from the school administration.

The Department of Education (DOE) issued a statement condemning the incident, calling it “unacceptable.” Officials say they are providing support to the family and conducting a thorough investigation into the school’s handling of the situation. However, many parents feel this response is not enough.

Community Calls for Stronger Safety Measures

Since the incident, local parents and advocacy groups have organized protests outside the school, demanding stricter safety measures. “We send our children to school thinking they are safe, but when something like this happens, it makes us question everything,” said Maria Lopez, a parent of another P.S. 72 student.

Many are calling for mandatory surveillance cameras in all classrooms and stricter background checks for school volunteers. Some parents have even started an online petition to push for new regulations, and it has already gained thousands of signatures.

Community leaders are also weighing in on the issue. Local council member Anthony Ramirez has urged the DOE to implement stricter guidelines for school volunteers, including mandatory training sessions and psychological evaluations before allowing them to interact with children. “This incident should serve as a wake-up call. We need to do better to protect our kids,” he said during a press conference.

What’s Next?

Medina has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting trial. If convicted, she could face significant legal consequences. Meanwhile, Josiah’s parents are exploring legal options against the school, claiming negligence in their duty to protect students.

While the Department of Education has promised reforms, concerned parents and community leaders continue to push for stronger safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case has sparked broader conversations about child safety in schools and whether current protocols are sufficient.

Josiah is currently receiving counseling to help him cope with the emotional trauma caused by the incident. His parents remain committed to ensuring justice is served, not only for their son but for all students who deserve a safe learning environment. “No child should ever go through this. We need to make sure it never happens again,” Rivera stated.