State Halts Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Student Intake After Assault Incidents

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. -- After several incidents involving students, the state ruled Hawthorne Cedar Knolls school for troubled teens can no longer accept students, effective immediately. 

The ruling was made by the Office of Child and Family Services.

Last weekend, two teenage girls from Hawthorne Cedar Knolls were arrested for allegedly attacking and mugging a woman at the Valhalla Metro-North Station.

In April, four girls from the school were arrested after walking out of a restaurant without paying and then attacking the owner, throwing her to the ground.

Sen. Terrence Murphy (R-Yorktown), who represents Hawthorne, praised the state's ruling.

"It is my sincere hope that the necessary policies will be properly implemented to provide the services to the kids at the facility while ensuring the safety of its neighbors," Murphy said. "The Hawthorne Cedar Knolls facility continues to experience serious problems despite the best efforts of all parties involved. 

"I hope today's announcement is a catalyst for the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls administration to implement the important changes which will allow it to coexist with the Mount Pleasant community."

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