DA: Mother of Student Charged in Teacher Attack

The mother of a Hempstead middle schooler was indicted Thursday for assaulting a teacher in April, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Annika McKenzie, 34, of Hempstead, was arraigned before a grand jury on additional charges stemming from the April 15 assault, the DA said. McKenzie now faces charges of second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of third-degree criminal trespass, second-degree harassment, and disorderly conduct, the DA said.

If convicted, McKenzie faces a maximum sentence of between two and seven years in prison, officials said.

Sign up for your local Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts here

McKenzie attacked a 58-year-old math teacher at Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School one afternoon while school was in session, officials said.

McKenzie had entered the school without security clearance and approached Catherine Engelhardt, 58, in the hallway outside her classroom, according to WABC. McKenzie “physically assaulted” the teacher and caused her to pass out, the DA said.

McKenzie claimed Engelhardt had “put her hands on” her 12-year-old daughter earlier that day, reported WABC. Several students, including her 14-year-old niece, kicked and punched the teacher during the attack, according to the report. Officials said the minor is answering to charges in family court.

“Violence and disregard for the law should not occur inside any school,” Acting DA Singas said. “My office will continue our efforts to ensure that Nassau classrooms remain safe places for students to learn and teachers to instruct in an environment free from violence of any kind.”

McKenzie is due back in court June 8.

Photo: Annika McKenzie. Credit: NCPD

More on Patch:

• Streets to Shut as 30,000 Flock to Brian Moore’s Funeral
• 20 New Job Openings in Nassau: Chef, Driver, Manager, Therapist
• Massapequa Florist Gives Out 2,000 Blue Ribbons to Honor Brian Moore
• Man Struck, Killed by Train in Baldwin
• Cops: East Meadow Man Killed in Sunrise Highway Crash
• Fire Tears Through Freeport Gas Station
• Teen Fatally Struck by SUV in Miller Place
• Southold Resident Receives First Emmy Award
• Customer at Lindenhurst Popeyes Robbed by Group of Men
• Brooklyn Man, Queens Woman Fatally Struck by Cop Car on NJ Turnpike
• East Northport Elementary Student by Day, 8-Year-Old Fashion Designer by Night
• Huntington Station Resident Earns SUNY’s Highest Faculty Award