Pupil’s Mother Held in Assault on Teacher, 64,

A 64-year old “grandmotherly” kindergarten teacher was assaulted in her classroom by a student’s mother, who allegedly grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against a wall as students screamed in terror, authorities said Friday.

Benita McCrae, 30, who police said is 6 feet tall and weighs 240 pounds, was arrested on charges of assaulting a school official on Thursday, the day after she allegedly burst into a kindergarten classroom at Toluca Lake Elementary School and attacked veteran teacher Marjan Swantek, Detective Gary Barthelmess said.

McCrae allegedly grabbed Swantek by the throat and lifted her off the ground. She then allegedly slammed the teacher into a wall before dropping her on the floor and fleeing with her daughter, Barthelmess said. During the attack, many of the students ran from the classroom screaming hysterically, he said.