Janitor Accused of Tampering Food, Other Charges

Janitors have an important role at schools. Their job is to clean and sanitize surfaces. They should not be intentionally contaminating food and other objects, but that is what a school janitor in New Jersey did. The man is now facing various criminal charges.

The 25-year-old man from Vineland is facing charges of child endangerment, aggravated assault, and tampering with food after allegedly contaminating food and utensils with both bleach and bodily fluids.

The janitor, who worked at Elizabeth Moore School, was arrested after police were informed of the man’s social media posts in which he performed sex acts with inanimate objects at the school.

Police investigated and discovered that the man contaminated food products and utensils in the school cafeteria with saliva, urine, and feces. The janitor also sprayed bleach into a container of cucumbers to harm children. In another incident, the man touched his private areas with bread and spit on it. He then put the bread back into a container so that it could be served to students.

The man performed these acts while employed at the school, where he has worked since September 2019. Investigators are trying to determine exactly when the alleged acts occurred.

This is of course concerning to parents. Children have been getting sick with diarrhea and vomiting, so it could be food poisoning or any number of illnesses.

Parents are also upset with the school. Parents were not informed of the incident until two days after the school was informed. They got a robocall saying an employee was on leave. The school claims that no students were involved, but parents claim bodily fluids in food is in fact direct involvement. Parents are asking for the superintendent to be fired.

The janitor was in the hospital after his arrest. Prosecutors are collecting samples from the man  to see if he has any diseases. The school district is working with the Department of Health to make sure utensils, food preparation areas, and other surfaces have been sanitized. They also want the contaminated food to be discarded. The Department of Health will provide the next steps.

Parents of students who may have consumed contaminated food should seek medical attention.  Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fevers, and aches can signal food poisoning. Food poisoning often goes away on its own but may require hospitalization in severe cases.

Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Children should be safe while at school. Students and their parents should not have to worry about getting sick from the reckless or negligent actions of a janitor or other staff member.

If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed by someone’s actions, seek legal help from a Morristown personal injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. We’ll help you get compensation and justice for your damages. For a free consultation, call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form.

Source:

6abc.com/giovanni-impellizzari-arrest-elizabeth-moore-school-janitor-upper-deerfield-district-arrested/14008016/