By: Mike Russo
A Baldwin PTA mother was arrested Friday after she and a 13-year-old male Baldwin Middle School student were discovered partially clothed in the back seat of a vehicle parked behind Meadow Elementary School.
According to Nassau County Police Det. Sgt. Anthony Repalone, officers on patrol discovered a suspicious car parked at the middle school at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Upon approaching the vehicle, police discovered that the woman, 44 years of age, and the student were "partially unclothed."
Joan Tuckruskye, a member of the Baldwin Middle School PTA, was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, according to county police. The victim was transported to an area hospital and his parents were notified.
Repalone said that the victim was familiar with one of Tuckruskye's children, and believes that the two met on several occasions, though police have no leads on what happened at those meetings. He said the victim is not being fully cooperative, and that police are investigating the relationship between the two as they continue to update the case.
"Something was not up to speed as far as them acting appropriately," said Repalone. "The investigation is continuing."
The Baldwin School District issued the following statement:
"The Baldwin School District has been alerted by police about an alleged encounter between a Baldwin parent and Baldwin Middle School student on Meadow School grounds Friday night. The district is cooperating fully with this investigation but cannot provide any further details since it is a police matter. However, please be assured that Baldwin Middle School Principal James Brown has met with administrators and staff to help students deal with any information or hearsay in regard to this case. The district is working to maintain a normal and calm school environment for all students while police investigate."
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
