Woman files lawsuit against Bergen district saying she was assaulted on school bus

A Hudson County woman said she was violently shaken by a student while working as an aide on a Cliffside Park school bus.

Maritza Cribeiro filed a lawsuit in Hudson County against the Cliffside Park Board of Education and several unnamed parties last month.

Cribeiro said she was strapping in a special needs student when a 6-foot-6-inch, 240-pound student reached across, grabbed her and shook her, causing her to suffer neck, head and shoulder injuries. She said she did nothing to provoke the attack.

The suit said the district should have known about prior assaults on the bus and the "violent propensities" of the student but did nothing to protect Cribeiro and other employees. The lawsuit did not detail past assaults.

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Cliffside Park Schools Superintendent Michael Romagnino did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The lawsuit says the district knew about previous issues and assaults on the bus but continued to allow "a known violent student" to be on the bus while Cribeiro was doing her duties, knowing it could result in injuries.

Additionally, Cribeiro said the student's parents did nothing to warn or caution her or protect her from their child's violence and were negligent because of their lack of disclosure. She said she did not know of the student's mental and physical condition, and had she known, she would have been able to protect herself or avoid contact.

Cribeiro is seeking punitive damages plus interest, the cost of the suit and attorney's fees.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Woman files lawsuit against Bergen district saying she was assaulted on school bus