P.S. 279 Music Teacher Held On Second Charge Of Endangering A Child

The music teacher who allegedly hung a five-year-old P.S. 279 student from a cloak room hook by his belt loops last week is in trouble again. This time he is accused of allegedly hanging another kindergarten student from a closet coat hook by his jacket earlier the same day, Police said.

Jason Schoenberger, 24, was charged a second time with endangering the welfare of a child in P.S. 279 after he allegedly hung a kindergarten student from a hook by his jacket, apparently in an attempt to startle another teacher as a joke. The teacher notified the principal of the school, who notified police. Schoenberger was taken to the 69th Precinct station house on Foster Avenue where he was formally charged.

The child, Taysir Mack, 5, was able to squeeze out of his jacket, which was hanging from a hook five feet above the floor, and fell, scraping his neck, according to reports.

The jacket-hanging incident apparently happened a short time before the teacher allegedly hung another five-year-old, Imhotep Lubin, from a hook by his belt loop — also apparently as a practical joke.

Attorney Sanford Rubenstein is representing the parents of both victims and told reporters last week that they have filed lawsuits of $5 million against the city’s Department of Education.

Schoenberger was released on
his own recognizance from the first accusation but served a short time in jail after the second charge was levied. He was placed on administrative duty until the investigation on the charges is completed, police said.

Charles Rogers