![NJ high school teacher charged with punching girl in head](https://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/03/attachment-Bayonne-high-school-arrest.jpg?w=980&q=75)
NJ high school teacher charged with punching girl in head
BAYONNE — A teacher has been accused of punching a girl in the head while trying to help break up a fight at Bayonne High School.
Joseph Mingoia, of Bayonne, was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault, a disorderly persons offense.
The 68-year-old math teacher has been on administrative leave since an incident at school on Jan. 22, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
RELATED: Teacher acquitted after student hits head
Investigators found that two students had been involved in a fight on school property. As multiple staff members tried to stop the fight, Mingoia punched a female juvenile in the head.
After his arrest, Mingoia was released pending his first court appearance, which was scheduled for March 22.
Bayonne High School serves 2,656 students in grades 9 through 12.
Top 30 schools most violent schools in New Jersey
Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5
Top 30 schools in NJ with the biggest bullying problem
Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5
More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM
![2 NJ police officers among trio accused in menacing burglary](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-Jersey-City-street-of-alleged-confrontation-JCPD-via-X-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![YouTube stunt influencer busted in string of NJ crimes](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-Antonio-Ginestri-of-NY-known-as-Squeeze-Benz-Newark-Department-of-Public-Safety-NYPD-via-X-.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ police chief reacts angrily to law after teen steals cop car](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-SECAUCUS-6.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ officer charged with DUI had wine bottle in police cruiser, video shows](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-rian-Aparicio-via-Facebook-Hudson-County-View-via-Youtube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![6-year-old girl dies in Bayonne house fire, 3 families displaced](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/07/attachment-bayonne-fire-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ school sued over ‘extended and persistent’ bullying before girl’s death](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/06/attachment-Jocelyn-Jocey-Walters-courtesy-Fred-Walters.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Prosecutor: NJ teacher asked student for nude photos](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2023/10/attachment-Andrew-Fantasia-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ man left 2 guns in hotel room, now he’s going to jail for 16 years](http://townsquare.media/site/564/files/2024/01/attachment-New-Jersey-Court-Sentencing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ teacher accused of criminal sexual contact with minor student](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/06/attachment-University-Academy-Charter-HS-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)