Special education teacher accused of child abuse

A special education teacher in Elmwood has been accused of abusing multiple children, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's office.

Ashley L. Frabizzio of Butler has been charged with child abuse and simple assault.

On Thursday, detectives of the Elmwood Park Police Department were notified by a school administrator of the Sixteenth Avenue Elementary School of reported allegations of child abuse by a special education teacher, the prosecutor's office said. The Elmwood Park Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency Institutional Abuse Unit, and a joint investigation ensued, it said.

After interviews, Frabizzio was charged with two counts each of child abuse and simple assault, the prosecutor's office said. Bail was set at $2,500.00 with a 10 percent option.

The prosecutor's office said Frabizzio cannot have any contact with the victims as a condition of her bail, but didn't specify how many victims there were or detail the alleged crimes themselves. She's also not allowed to have any contact with the school or school personnel and may not possess any firearms.

She has been released on bail and is set for an arraignment Tuesday at 1 p.m.