NJ Dad Berates School Staff, Refuses To Pick Up Child Over COVID Rules: Police

BEACHWOOD, NJ — A Beachwood man caused a disturbance Thursday, screaming at Beachwood Elementary School staff and refusing to take his child out of school after he was told his child had to quarantine due to being exposed to the coronavirus, Beachwood police said.

John Wehrle was called Thursday by the school nurse at Beachwood Elementary School, who told him he had to pick up his child because the child had been exposed to someone at school who had tested positive for COVID-19, police said in a statement on the department's Facebook page.

The quarantine order is based on COVID-19 guidelines from the state Department of Health with regard to COVID-19 exposure in school that the Toms River Regional School District follows.

When Wehrle continued to say he would not take his child home, the school resource officer said he would have to call the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, which apparently angered the father more.

Beachwood police posted the statement in response to an account of the incident from the father published by Ocean County Scanner News Thursday afternoon. The site has since removed the post and published an apology.

Wehrle, in comments to NJ.com, denied that he yelled at the staff and said he only wanted answers about how his child was determined to be a close contact, so he could "judge for myself if he was just on the playground and gave the kid a high five or if this is a kid he sits next to in class every day and it’s a high risk."

"How can you determine the exposure — and they wouldn’t answer me," Wehrle told NJ.com.

The state Department of Health guidelines to schools define close contact as 15 minutes straight of exposure within 3 to 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. For students, if both the student who is positive and the student within 3 feet are masked, that is not considered a close contact.

Police said Wehrle entered the school without approval, going in with contractors who were buzzed in, police said, a violation of the district's safety policies. All arrivals have to be approved to enter the building.

School Resource Officer Keith Meissner, who was outside at the back of the school, was called to the front office by "a noticeably upset" administrative assistant, and found Wehrle screaming at school employees, demanding to speak to the vice principal, police said.

School was in session at the time and Wehrle's screaming that he would not take his child home was disturbing classes, police said.

"The employees, who were visibly shaken, advised that it took one of the male contractors to escort Mr. Wehrle outside of the building," police said.

Meissner went outside to talk to Wehrle and asked him how he could further help him, police said.

Because Wehrle had continued to insist he was not going to take custody of his child, and because the child was no longer allowed to remain in school due to the COVID-19 exposure, Meissner told Wehrle he would have to call the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, because there was no parent or guardian willing to take custody.

Wehrle then agreed to take his child and left the premises, police said.

Toms River Regional Schools officials declined to comment on the incident, referring inquiries to Beachwood police.

The nurse later told police she had called Wehrle and explained that his child had to quarantine and that a Chromebook would be provided if he needed it, and that additional information would be emailed him, police said. She told police Wehrle repeatedly interrupted her and talked over her while she was trying to explain the information, and repeatedly said he would not pick up his child from school. He then told the nurse he was coming to the school to "get some answers," which led to the disturbance at school.

"Officer Meissner's comment with regards to contacting DCP&P was solely made due to the fact that Mr. Wehrle stated numerous times that he would not be taking his child out of school, therefore leaving his child in the care of school staff," the police department post said. "DCP&P is a resource commonly used when a child’s welfare is in question. The fact that Mr. Wehrle refused to take custody of his child by refusing to pick him up from school put his child’s welfare in peril."

"We remind the public that the Beachwood Police Department and Toms River School System must adhere to the State of New Jersey Executive Orders issued by Governor Murphy and the rules that govern them," the post said.

"We please ask that you remain patient through this difficult time for all of us. We understand the frustrations many of you have with the rules that are currently in place but we as a department, school district, and parents must work together to navigate through this difficult time," police said.

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