Dutchess County Woman Hit Special Needs Child, Police Say

A Dutchess County woman is accused of striking a young special needs child in the face.

On Wednesday, the New York State Police and New York State Justice Center for the protection of vulnerable persons finished an investigation into an allegation of child abuse.

Margaret Namulanga, 33, of Poughkeepsie was employed as a caretaker for a 12-year-old boy with special needs, police say. On Sept. 25, while supervising the special needs child, Namulanga is accused of hitting the child in the face after the boy acted out.

The alleged abuse was immediately reported to the Justice Center by co-workers who witnessed the incident.

Namulanga was placed on administrative leave as a safety precaution pending the outcome of a thorough joint investigation, officials say.

On Wednesday, following a five-week investigation, Namulanga was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. She was released with an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Red Hook Court on Nov. 17.