Teaching assistant facing child endangerment charges appears in Clarkstown justice court

Catherine Rios, who worked with students at the Jesse J. Kaplan school as a teaching assistant, pleaded not guilty during her appearance in Clarkstown justice court Monday afternoon.

Diane Caruso

Mar 17, 2025, 9:28 PM

Updated yesterday

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Catherine Rios pleaded not guilty during her appearance in Clarkstown justice court Monday afternoon.
The Nyack woman is facing two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
In court, Judge Aimee Pollak issued an order for Rios to stay away from the students.
Jessica Fein, who was "of counsel" for Rios said that, Rios "adamantly denies the allegations and looks forward to her day in court."
A court document provided obtained Monday afternoon more details following News 12's report last week. The document states Rios is accused of using force to submerge two nonverbal students less than 17-years-old in a pool during the afternoon of Jan. 21.
It says both victims were wearing floatation devices and were underwater for several seconds.
It alleges that Rios actions were injurious to the victim's mental being.
Rios is expected back in Clarkstown justice court next month.