Video from a New Jersey school shows physical interaction between principal and student that led to charges

Surveillance camera footage from the South Orange-Maplewood School District shows portions of the interaction between a principal and a student last year that led to criminal charges against the veteran administrator, although neither camera angle provides a clear view of the entire interaction and there is no audio .

Footage from three surveillance cameras shows the student and Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez in physical contact on March 9, 2023, according to video viewed by NJ Advance Media.

More than a year later, Sanchez was charged by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office on March 11 with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault.

The criminal complaint cited a report from school officials that cited the video in which Sanchez was seen with his hand on the girl's arm as he pulled her toward a staircase, authorities said. The girl then pulled away and Sanchez grabbed her again in an exchange that lasted about 30 seconds, according to the complaint.

Shortly after, video footage showed the pair falling through a door, with Sanchez pinning the student to the wall, according to the complaint.

Sanchez pleaded not guilty during a court appearance last month and his defense attorney claims that security camera footage shows the student willingly walking toward a staircase with Sanchez as she tries to push past him so she can meet other students downstairs in the cafeteria can confront.

“There was no crime here,” John McMahon, Sanchez's attorney, told NJ Advance Media.

A video from the hallway in front of the stairwell shows the student and Sanchez walking side by side with quick steps towards the entrance to the stairwell. It is not clear whether the director is holding the girl's arm in the video because the camera is far away and Sanchez's body obscures the view. As the girl walks away from Sanchez, she appears to attempt to enter the stairwell.

Footage from the stairwell shows the moment the two push through the double doors. The student appears to be lashing out at Sanchez as he attempted to stop the student. According to video viewed by NJ Advance Media, Sanchez briefly pushed her against the wall during the fight.

Residents of the South Orange-Maplewood School District remain divided over whether this interaction warrants criminal charges.

The case has drawn national attention and put the pre-K-12 district and its roughly 6,700 students in the spotlight.

“I have been a criminal defense attorney for over 30 years and have never had a client who has inspired such outpouring of community support,” McMahon said. “He is clearly a popular educator and the most important thing is that no crime was committed.”

McMahon said he is working to gather evidence that he hopes will encourage prosecutors to dismiss the criminal charges. His next court date is scheduled for June 14.

McMahon said prior to the incident, the student had a separate confrontation with classmates and was on her way to the cafeteria to confront them when the interaction with Sanchez occurred. The New York Times reported that the other students filed bullying complaints against her, which led to the girl being assigned to a workshop on empathy and connection in the school's gymnasium on March 9, 2023, the day of her interaction with Sanchez became.

The Black Parents Workshop, a South Orange-Maplewood advocacy group that supports the student, said this week it will “continue to support the real victim — a young Black girl — and the prosecution of Frank Sanchez and monitor the South Orange-Maplewood School District ..” be held legally accountable for the harm caused to her.”

The evidence shows that “Frank Sanchez physically assaulted our client,” said a statement from Davis Advocacy Consulting, a law firm representing the student.

“There was no fight and there was no impending fight. There is video and multiple eyewitnesses to the events that ultimately led to his arrest,” said a statement from the law firm led by attorney James H. Davis III.

The public debate began almost immediately on March 11, when Sanchez turned himself in to investigators from the Essex County District Attorney's Office.

According to the complaint filed in the case, South Orange-Maplewood Acting Superintendent Kevin F. Gilbert reported the incident to Maplewood police on Dec. 22, 2023 and informed them that an affirmative action report was filed against the Sanchez in March 2023 . The school district then hired an outside investigator to investigate the matter.

The investigator determined there was physical contact between Sanchez and the student that included “pushing, shoving or grabbing,” the complaint states.

The girl later gave a statement to prosecutors' investigators and said the interaction left her bruised, the criminal complaint says.

Friends of Frank Sanchez, a community group supporting the school superintendent, believe Sanchez was wrongfully accused. The group launched a website urging people to contact the Essex County District Attorney's Office and demand that the charges against Sanchez be dismissed. They posted “Free Frank” signs on the lawn and called for Sanchez to be reinstated as principal at school board meetings.

Supporters have also organized an online fundraiser that has raised $75,000 for the principal's legal defense as of Friday morning.

The Black Parents Workshop issued a brief statement Friday commenting on the continued support for Sanchez.

“33 days and $60,000 later, Frank Sanchez is still a defendant,” the group said.

Sanchez has been on administrative leave since early January. School district officials have not said why or whether his leave of absence is related to the alleged assault.

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NJ Advance Media staff writer Chris Sheldon contributed to this report.

Jackie Roman can be contacted at [email protected].