Hernando Garcia-Morales, an illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal history, faces serious charges after allegedly throwing a rock at a school bus, severely injuring a child. The incident occurred on January 7 while the bus, carrying students from Yeshivat Noam, was traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike in Teaneck Township. The rock struck an 8-year-old girl, fracturing her skull and sending her to the hospital for surgery.
Garcia-Morales, a Mexican citizen aged 40, claimed upon his arrest that the bus was “the devil or his enemy.” His alarming statement reflects a troubling mindset as he faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The school bus incident has drawn significant attention not only for the violence involved but also because of Garcia-Morales’ immigration status.
Despite a criminal record spanning over two decades, he was shielded from deportation under New Jersey’s sanctuary laws. The Department of Homeland Security revealed that he had been living illegally in the U.S. Garcia-Morales’ criminal background includes convictions for weapon possession and theft in 2006, as well as a series of more recent offenses in July 2023, including attempted burglary and providing false information to police. These charges resulted in minimal consequences: a mere 30-day jail sentence and a fine of $905.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin expressed outrage following the incident. “Violently targeting a school bus full of children is extremely wicked and heinous,” she stated, emphasizing the dangers posed by individuals like Garcia-Morales, who “should have never been in this country.” The Assistant Secretary’s comments highlight a tension between law enforcement and sanctuary policies prevalent in certain states, which critics argue enable repeat offenders to remain in communities despite their criminal behavior.
The injuries sustained by the young girl are particularly distressing. Reports indicate that the child suffered a laceration on her forehead and a nickel-sized fracture of her orbital bone. Medical intervention involved placing a titanium mesh plate in her skull and performing surgery to remove bone fragments and her right sinus. Teaneck Mayor Mark J. Schwartz noted the severity of the girl’s injuries, describing them as “horrifying.”
Investigation into Garcia-Morales reveals he is also a suspect in other rock-throwing incidents and has been accused of peeping into homes in Bogota, New Jersey. These alarming patterns of behavior paint a troubling picture of a man who, regardless of his criminal history, was able to evade significant consequences until this latest incident.
At the detention hearing held on January 16, Assistant Prosecutor Ricky Ruddy remarked on the case’s gravity, pointing out the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on the young victim. Despite the heinous nature of the crime, Teaneck officials clarified that there was no evidence suggesting it was a bias crime. However, the circumstances surrounding the school bus, which transported visibly Jewish children, added layers of complexity to public perceptions of the attack.
With the girl now on the mend after surgery, there is hope for her recovery. She represents the innocence of childhood shattered by an act of violence that could have been prevented had immigration policies been stricter. Garcia-Morales, meanwhile, now faces numerous charges that could lead to serious legal repercussions. The case highlights a crucial conversation about immigration policy, community safety, and the consequences of unchecked criminal behavior within the sanctuary jurisdictions.
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