A 33-year-old Cranford school member is expected to undergo a mental health screening after he arrested last week for reportedly making terroristic threats against the school.
According to authorities, Thursday Matthew Acosta, of Kenilworth, appeared in front of State Superior Court Judge Daniel R. Lindemann for a detention hearing
Officials say, the prosecutor’s motion to detain Acosta - an Orange Avenue School faculty member - pending a mental health screening for dangerousness, was granted.
According to an affidavit, Acosta began working at Orange Avenue School since May 2018. Since then, he’s had several disciplinary infractions and appeared to have a tough time adjusting to being a Special Education Teacher.
The affidavit of probable cause in the case, stated to a co-worker on Nov. 1st that he believed his co-teachers were out to get him and he should just bring a gun to school and shoot up the place.
A subsequent hearing will be scheduled following the filing of a report on the screening and receipt of the report by the defense and the State.
The State was represented in court by Union County Assistant Prosecutors Kathleen Dillon and Robert Vanderstreet.