By Bill Parry
A Jackson Heights middle-school teacher was arrested and charged with assault Wednesday for allegedly grabbing a 13-year-old student’s hand and injuring his finger, police said.
Officers from the 115th Precinct were called to IS 145, known as the Joseph Pulitzer Middle School, on 80th Street near Northern Boulevard and arrested Ramiro Cruz, 52, around 11 a.m.
The youngster had swelling and a sprained middle finger after the teacher twisted it, police said. Why Cruz grabbed the child’s hand was not clear.
Cruz was later released with a desk appearance ticket, according to the NYPD. He has been reassigned to a different location, the Department of Education said.
“There is no place for this alleged behavior in our schools and Mr. Cruz was removed and reassigned away from students pending the resolution of his criminal case,” a DOE spokesman said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
