SUN Staff Report
Joanne Rodriguez, the grandmother who slapped Cariños de los Niños Charter School teacher Geraldine Estrada, pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to attempted battery on a school employee.
The plea and disposition agreement states Rodriguez knowingly plead guilty to attempting to unlawfully and intentionally touch or apply force to Estrada and did so “in a rude, insolent or angry manner while said personnel was in the lawful discharge of her duties.”
The incident occurred during an Oct. 17, 2012 parent-teacher conference where Estrada alleged Rodriguez became upset at the treatment of her grandson and slapped Estrada when her grandson was not allowed to speak during the conference. Estrada subsequently filed temporary restraining orders against Rodriguez and the child’s uncle Joaquin Garcia.
The restraining orders were granted, however, the incident was not forgotten.
Later in the 2012-2103 school year, Estrada resigned from her teaching position amid parental concern regarding Estrada’s mean treatment of their children.
Neither Estrada nor Cariños School Chancellor Vernon Jaramillo could be reached for comment.