Crown Heights Assemblywoman Arrested on Child Abuse Charges

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, NY — Crown Heights assemblywoman Diana Richardson was arrested at her President Street apartment early Saturday morning on child abuse charges. According to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Richardson allegedly hit her 13-year-old son with a broomstick because of his grades.

Richardson's son walked to a Crown Heights Police Department around 7 p.m. Friday night. He told officers Richardson struck him on the arm with a broomstick because of grades he got.

The boy suffered substantial pain from an abrasion on his arm and was taken to a local hospital, according to a criminal complaint from the DA's office.

Richardson was arrested around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. She faces charges of assault, menacing, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal possession of a weapon, the criminal complaint says.

The Assemblywoman admitted to beating her son because he pushed her during an argument after refusing to write an essay on how to improve his grades, the New York Post reported.

Richardson represents New York's 43rd Assembly District, which spans Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Wingate and East Flatbush. She serves on the Assembly standing committees on banks, children and families, corporations, authorities and commissions, mental health, small business, women’s caucus and The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian legislative caucus, according to her biography.

Richardson is running unopposed for a second term on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Richardson's Instagram Page