A Hempstead Middle School math teacher was choked and knocked unconscious outside her classroom Wednesday afternoon by a 34-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl, officials say.
Hempstead Teachers Association President Elias Mestizo says 34-year-old Annika McKenzie got past security at around 1:30 p.m. and went into the teacher's classroom.
McKenzie's attorney claims his client went to the school after being told that the teacher put her hands on her 12-year-old daughter earlier in the day.
Hempstead School Board President Lamont Johnson says he doesn't know if the 14-year-old involved in the incident is a student at the school. He says the district is investigating the attack.
McKenzie pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and assault charges Thursday. The 14-year-old girl was charged with assault.