The Monsey community has been shaken in recent days following the disturbing incident in which a USPS mail carrier assaulted a 4-year-old child. While many residents expressed appreciation for the swift response by Ramapo Police, including an arrest and felony charges, frustration quickly followed over what many viewed as an unnecessary escalation involving Child Protective Services.
Numerous residents voiced concern over the decision to notify CPS in the aftermath of the incident, questioning whether it was warranted given the circumstances. The situation has sparked broader conversation throughout the community, with many saying this is not the first time such actions have raised concern and calling for clearer judgment in sensitive cases involving victims.
In response to these concerns, Monsey Scoop reached out to the Ramapo Police Department for clarification.
Ramapo Police Chief Daniel Hyman provided the following statement:
“Police officers are one of many professions in New York State designated as mandated reporters under the guidelines established by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). These guidelines are publicly available through the OCFS website, including the mandated reporter resource materials that outline when and how a report to the Statewide Central Register (SCR) must be made.
Under New York State law, a mandated reporter is required to contact the SCR when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or maltreated by a parent or person legally responsible for their care. OCFS guidance makes clear that proof is not required. The standard is reasonable suspicion, and reporters are encouraged to make the call even when information may be limited. Specially trained staff at the SCR evaluate the information provided and determine whether it meets the criteria to be registered as a report. If it does not, they will not accept the report and will explain the reason for that determination.
It is equally important to understand that failure to report when required can result in criminal charges against the mandated reporter. As such, these decisions carry significant responsibility.
At the same time, we recognize that not every situation rises to the level of a mandated report. There are circumstances where families may be better supported through community-based resources and services, and we remain committed to connecting residents with those supports whenever appropriate and legally permissible.
The Ramapo Police Department does not take mandated reporting lightly. As a New York State accredited law enforcement agency for 22 consecutive years, we are continually reviewing and strengthening our practices. We are in the process of implementing a written policy that adds an additional layer of supervisory consultation prior to contacting the SCR. This ensures that each situation is carefully evaluated by the senior most supervisor in command of patrol during the shift, while still maintaining full compliance with New York State law and the obligation to protect children.
This is one of the areas where recurrent training is critically important. The Ramapo Police Department will include refresher training on this topic for all officers as part of this year’s training program.”
Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht also addressed the matter, stating:
“Ramapo fully understands the implications when a report is initiated through the police department. The Ramapo Police Department is implementing a policy in which mandated reporters shall consult with a police commander to ensure that circumstances are thoroughly evaluated. This approach provides an additional supervisory perspective and helps determine whether the situation meets the reporting threshold or requires further investigation.
In all cases, we have been assured that actions taken will remain in full compliance with New York State law. This policy is being established in the interest of protecting the welfare and safety of our residents, while ensuring that decisions are made thoughtfully, responsibly, and with appropriate oversight.”
Officials emphasized that these updates are intended to ensure compliance with state law while addressing community concerns and reinforcing thoughtful, well-balanced decision-making in sensitive situations.
ימח שמם וזכרם. ארורים
The question is as Yidden in Galus are we required to highlight every injustice and make it national news when clearly the child wasn’t injured physically maybe his ego got hurt. I think in a way this incident back fired with cps getting involved. I’s a subtle way of getting back at us for making a big stink about it.. We survived nearly 2000 years of galus, not through physical might nor cause of our connections in high society but because Hashem protected us and when we sinned he punished us. I got punched in the face when I was a bochur and it still get’s me mad when I think about it but I’m glad this happened before every punch became a national headline and endless remarks on kol mevaser because that’s the last thing I needed.
Good point. True. My brother many years ago got punched in the mouth , knocking out a tooth, just because he was wearing a yarmulke. ( we knew ) . No headlines made. As Jews we need to lay low and keep out of the media.
So much nonsense. He could’ve gotten killed by the fall on his head
Lol
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To the Editor,
Let’s stop pretending this was a close call. It wasn’t.
A four-year-old child was allegedly shoved by a delivery worker. That is outrageous. That is unacceptable. And it demands immediate accountability—from law enforcement and from the employer involved.
But calling Child Protective Services? That was flat-out wrong.
CPS exists for one purpose: to investigate abuse or neglect by a parent or someone legally responsible for a child’s care. A delivery driver is neither. Twisting the system to fit a situation it was never designed for is not caution—it’s misuse.
And that misuse has consequences.
Every unnecessary call clogs a system already stretched thin. Every misplaced report pulls attention away from children who are actually being abused or neglected in their own homes. And every needless investigation drags families into a process that is intrusive, stressful, and completely unwarranted.
This wasn’t a gray area. This wasn’t complicated. It was a criminal matter—period.
So why was CPS called?
Because somewhere along the line, we’ve lost the ability to respond with precision. Everything becomes everything. Every incident becomes every system. And in that confusion, the very tools meant to protect the most vulnerable are weakened.
If a stranger assaults a child, you call the police. You demand charges. You hold the employer accountable.
You do not weaponize CPS because you don’t understand its purpose.
Protecting children means acting quickly—but also acting correctly. In this case, we failed on the second part.
And that failure matters.
Where was the child’s parents when this occurred?
It looks like you misunderstood the article. What happened here is that police filed a CPS report due to the parent not supervising the child at that time.
As well they should. So many children hit by cars and buses because there is no adult supervision, irresponsible and inexcusable.
All, it’s not about you, it’s about children/child safety.
We live in an areas where too many accidents happen with children getting hurt or worse, often becuase they are not being supervised appropriately.
If you believe in child safety, and supervise your children properly, you should have no reasons to be upset that CPS was notified.
BTW, CPS will investigate and they will determine if there was an issue.
So much nonsense here. Unbelievable!
A parent doesn’t have to be next to his/her child 24/7.
There was no suspicion that the child has been abused or maltreated by a parent or person legally responsible for their care, and therefore there was no reason to file a report.
The police department should acknowledge that it was wrong
Four year old children should not be outdoors on their own, especially near the road. How many more children must lose their lives, completely needlessly, before people will finally see sense?
Well done Ramapo PD. Many parents leave their kids 5 and below to get on and off buses, expect to stay safe off the road, wandering around, having siblings taking them to shuls while the father goes elsewhere or to his rebbe, specially on yomim tovim. Every neglected child should be reported asap. Autistic children are let to walk alone as well without supervision, they harass others and go on people lawns without permission.