Nassau Mother Convicted of Assaulting Her Daughter's Teacher

A Hempstead mother was convicted on Thursday of assaulting a math teacher at her daughter's middle school in April 2015.

Annika McKenzie, 35, was convicted of second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment. She was remanded and is due back for sentencing on Feb. 10, and faces up to seven years in prison on the top count.

“Annika McKenzie barged into her daughter’s middle school, assaulted a teacher and left her victim unconscious on the floor in front of a crowd of her students,” said District Attorney Madeline Singas said. “Our schools must be safe for every student, educator, and parent, and today’s verdict should serve as a warning that violence like this will be met with harsh consequences.”

On April 15, 2015, at approximately 1:30 p.m. the victim, a teacher at Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School, saw McKenzie’s daughter and other students in the hallway while classes were in session. The students were unaccompanied and not allowed in the hallway at that time.

McKenzie's daughter alleged that a confrontation occurred between her and the then 58-year old teacher, and as a result, the daughter summoned her mother to the school. McKenzie arrived at the school at approximately 1:45 p.m. and entered the building, bypassing the security desk and administrative offices.

She then physically assaulted the teacher, causing them to lose consciousness. The teacher was taken to a nearby hospital and diagnosed with a concussion.

McKenzie was arrested later that day by members of the Hempstead and Nassau County police departments.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department