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ICE lodges arrest detainer for man accused of throwing rock that injured girl

Officials say Hernando Garcia-Morales seriously injured a girl when he threw a rock at the school bus she was riding in.

Matt Trapani

Jan 26, 2026, 10:27 PM

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The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have lodged an arrest detainer for the man accused of throwing a baseball-sized rock at a school bus earlier this month, seriously injuring a girl.

Federal officials say that Hernando Garcia-Morales is an “illegal criminal alien” from Mexico.

New Jersey state police say that on Jan. 7, Garcia-Morales threw a rock through the window of a school bus on the New Jersey Turnpike in Teaneck. The rock struck an 8-year-old girl in the head. She suffered a skull fracture and needed surgery, according to officials.

RELATED: Police arrest man accused of throwing rock at school bus, injuring child

Officials say the child was released from the hospital and is recovering.

Garcia-Morales is currently in custody following his arrest on Jan. 9. The arrest detainer is to ensure that he stays in custody.

Federal officials say Garcia-Morales has a previous criminal history that includes arrests for burglary, possession of a weapon and theft. Police said that he may also be linked to other rock-throwing incidents in New Jersey.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an update to a previous story. The original on-air script stated that Hernando Garcia-Morales was in custody with ICE. Garcia-Morales is currently in custody with local officials.

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