BLOOMFIELD — A Staten Island mother choked, slapped and punched her 12-year-old daughter during a meeting at a charter school Wednesday, the Port Authority Police Department said.
During a meeting at the John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, at 1 Teleport Drive, Bintu Fofanah, 36, started to argue with her 12-year-old daughter, a spokesman for the Port Authority, which manages the Teleport Business Park where the school is based, said.
The argument escalated and Fofanah started to choke, slap and punch her daughter, causing bruises and a cut in her mouth, the spokesman said.
Investigators later found the daughter already had clearly visible bruises and swelling on her arms and shoulders after Fofanah previously beat her with a leather belt, according to the Port Authority.
The Port Authority Police arrested Fofanah and her daughter was taken to Richmond University Medical Center for treatment.
Fofanah was charged with strangulation, assault and reckless endangerment of a child, the Port Authority said.
The city's Administration for Children's Services was notified of the incident, the Port Authority said.
