WATERFORD TWP. -- The mother of a special-needs student who attends an Archway Programs school claims her son was assaulted by an aide and she's planning on pressing charges.
In this provided photo, Nilda Torres' 15-year-old son Jordan shows facial injuries he allegedly sustained as a result of the incident at the Archway Programs Lower School, in Waterford Township.
New York resident Nilda Torres claims her 15-year-old son Jordan, who is autistic and needs a one-on-one aide in school, suffered bruises, cuts and possibly a broken nose as a result of an incident earlier this week.
Torres said school administration made her aware of the incident, which she claims involved her son being found pinned and crying in a classroom closet as the aide stood over him.
A family friend, who provided photos of Jordan's injuries to NJ Advance Media on Thursday, said Jordan resides at the school campus.
Torres, who was unavailable for comment Friday, visits the campus in the township's Atco section every weekend, the friend said. Additional photos of the injuries show a cut on Jordan's arm and facial bruising.
In a statement, Archway CEO Marge Conner-Levin said, "The safety of our students is and always will be our top priority. We immediately reported the incident to the New Jersey Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit and are cooperating fully with their investigation as well as that of the Waterford Township police. We are fully committed to providing a safe and secure environment for those in our care."
Waterford Township police are investigating the incident, according to Fox29, which adds that school protocol was to remove the student to ensure their safety and notify the state unit.
Torres said school administration has thus far been uncooperative with her efforts to learn more about the incident.
Archway is a private, state Department of Education-approved school that offers educational services for disabled youth between the ages of 3 and 21. According to the school's website, certified teachers, counselors and therapists "work with students in small class environments."
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.