Justice for Victim: Arrest of Illegal Immigrant in School Bus Attack Sparks Outrage and Calls for Accountability
A man identified as Hernando Garcia-Morales, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested for throwing a rock at a school bus on the New Jersey Turnpike, injuring an 8-year-old girl. He claimed he thought the bus was the devil or his enemy. Federal officials revealed that Garcia-Morales has a criminal history in New Jersey dating back two decades, including arrests for possession of a weapon, theft, burglary, and giving false information. Despite his violent actions, he was not deported due to New Jersey's sanctuary immigration policies.
Garcia-Morales is also suspected of being involved in other rock-throwing incidents targeting cars and police officers. He has been accused of peeping into homes in Bogota, NJ. The Department of Homeland Security has lodged an arrest detainer against him, hoping to keep him off the streets for good. The Department of Justice is suing four New Jersey cities for obstructing federal immigration authorities by preventing local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies to deport illegal-alien criminals.
The injured third-grader, who attends Yeshivat Noam school in Teaneck, is recovering at home after undergoing surgery for a deep laceration on her forehead and a fractured orbital bone. Her family hopes that Garcia-Morales will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his actions. Garcia-Morales faces charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, possession of a weapon, criminal trespassing, and criminal mischief. His lawyer claims he suffers from mental illness, and he has not entered a formal plea. He remains in Bergen County jail pending the resolution of his case.
The senseless and violent attack on a school bus full of children has shocked the community, and efforts are being made to ensure that Garcia-Morales faces justice for his actions. The victim's family and supporters are relieved that he has been apprehended and are hopeful that he will be held accountable for the harm he caused. The case highlights the importance of addressing illegal immigration and enforcing laws to protect communities from dangerous individuals like Garcia-Morales.