Tag: HARLEM
Harlem teacher accused of lewd conversations with 18 students
A former Harlem charter school teacher allegedly had lewd communications with at least 18 students, claiming he did it “to be the cool teacher,” according to prosecutors and court papers.
Jeffery Bryant, 25, was busted in March for asking a student for a threesome, sending two other girls sex videos and sexting a fourth teen.
But ADA Melanie Soberal said Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court that the charged conduct is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Since the defendant’s arrest, approximately 18 students have reported receiving inappropriate communications from him, and we’re continuing to investigate that,” Soberal said.
Bryant — who was formerly a middle school history and music teacher at Democracy Prep Endurance — pleaded not guilty Wednesday to five counts of disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child.
He’d only been at the school for seven months when he was fired in March for sending explicit photos and videos to students as young as 13.
In an interview with cops, he allegedly confessed and said, “I did it to be the cool teacher.”
He allegedly admitted, “I sent male and female pornography and twerking videos. I spoke to them about their personal lives and relationships and told them about my past sexual experiences.”
Defense lawyer Melanie Dearth asked Justice Curtis Farber to lower his bail from $50,000 bond to $10,000.
But Soberal successfully countered that Bryant is unemployed, no longer lives with his wife and is a flight risk.
DA Cy Vance Jr. released a statement urging other victims to come forward.
“As alleged, Jeffery Bryant took advantage of his position as a middle school history teacher to send graphic videos and messages to children in his care,” Vance said. “If you or someone you know has been a victim of abuse, I urge you to call our Child Abuse Unit at 212-335-4308.”
via: https://nypost.com/2019/05/02/harlem-teacher-accused-of-lewd-conversations-with-18-students/
Photo Credit: Facebook
Eric Garner’s mom barred from granddaughter’s funeral
Eric Garner’s mom was barred from her own granddaughter’s funeral on Monday, sparking an ugly shoving match outside a Harlem church.
Gwen Carr wasn’t allowed inside the First Corinthian Baptist Church, where mourners honored Erica Garner, the 27-year-old daughter of Eric Garner — whose death at the hands of the NYPD touched off national protests in 2014.
Erica Garner died from a heart attack on Dec. 30.
Carr blamed Monday’s fiasco on her daughter-in-law, Erica’s mother, Esaw “Pinky” Garner.
“She didn’t want none of our family in there, on my side — the Garners,” said Carr, explaining that the family rift has been building for years.
“Pinky” Garner could not be immediately reached for comment.
“We would not disrespect Gwen,” Sharpton said. “We don’t take sides with that.”
via: https://nypost.com/2018/01/09/eric-garners-mom-barred-from-granddaughters-funeral/
Toddler With Dairy Allergy Dies After New York School Gave Him Grilled Cheese – knowing he was allergic to dairy foods
A New York City school is closing while officials investigate the death of a 3-year-old boy who died after he was allegedly given a grilled cheese sandwich — despite the school knowing he had a severe dairy allergy, according to KTLA sister station WPIX in New York.
Elijah Silvera was in his pre-K class at Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in Harlem on Nov. 3 when he went into anaphylactic shock after eating the sandwich. The child was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
A family friend wrote on a GoFundMe site, “…he was given a grilled cheese sandwich by an adult at the pre-K, despite them knowing and having documented that he has a severe allergy to dairy.”
The family member also told WPIX that school officials called Elijah’s mother when it happened. It’s unclear why they did not call an ambulance, so his mother rushed Elijah 10 blocks south to Harlem Hospital.
But it was too late.
The family stated online they want to know exactly what happened and if proper protocols were followed — “…at this moment, it is unclear where responsibility for Elijah’s death will fall between the pre-K and the hospital itself.”
“We want to find out exactly where, if any, breakdowns may have occurred at either the school or the hospital,” they wrote.
The money raised on GoFundMe will help pay for an independent autopsy, according to the family.
Michelle Daniels says she attended the school as a little girl.
“I went there when I was a kid,” Daniels said. “That person should be really investigated. Really they should. Because if that was my child, I would be all over the place.”
“If I’m sending my children someplace, and I’m entrusting my children in your care, you’re supposed to follow those guidelines,” Daniels added.
Late Wednesday, the New York City Health Department released a statement announcing the school will close in order to investigate the incident.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of our children and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will get to the bottom of what happened here. In the meantime, we’re closing the Center for Family Services and continuing to aggressively investigate what happened and whether the facility could have done something differently to prevent this tragedy.”