Preschoolers Threatened With Knife To Behave In Union: Prosecutor

PLAINFIELD, NJ — An administrator at a New Jersey preschool is accused of showing two 4-year-old students a knife and threatening to harm them if they didn't behave, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Wednesday.

Adetokunbo O. Akinnaso, 64, of Sicklerville, Camden County, is charged with two counts of cruelty or neglect of children in Plainfield, a fourth-degree offense.

Earlier this year, the two students were taken to Akinnaso's, at Dawn to Dusk Christian Childcare & Learning Center, where she disciplined them by showing a knife, according to a Special Victims Unit investigation.

Neither child was injured, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Scott Peterson, who is prosecuting the case.

Akinnaso surrendered to authorities on Tuesday and was released on a summons pending a first appearance in Superior Court.

Akinnaso could face up to 18 months in state prison on the fourth-degree criminal charges.

A first appearance in this matter has been tentatively scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 2 in Superior Court.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office: Adetokunbo O. Akinnaso, 64, of Sicklerville, Camden County)

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