By: Richard L. Smith
A now-former elementary school principal in New Jersey has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on a child at his home earlier this month, according to court records.
Dion L. Patterson, 44, of Fanwood, is charged with child abuse/endangering the welfare of a child and neglect by a caregiver. 
Authorities say Patterson has resigned from his position as principal of Madison Elementary School following the allegations, according to a district statement provided to NJ Advance Media.
Court documents state that the alleged incident occurred at Patterson’s home and was reported on January 6, when a child living there disclosed the allegations to a school nurse in Fanwood—two days after the alleged assault.
According to an affidavit of probable cause sent to Advanced Media, the child told investigators that Patterson became angry while the child was folding clothes and allegedly yelled at the child for being on a phone.
Patterson is accused of briefly leaving the room before returning with a black belt and striking the child once on the buttocks.
The charging documents further allege that Patterson then dragged the child off a bed, causing the child’s head to hit the floor.
Prosecutors say Patterson subsequently knelt beside the child, placed both hands around the child’s neck, and began choking the juvenile.
The child was reportedly unable to speak and gave Patterson a “thumbs up” gesture to signal for him to stop.
Officials with the Rahway Public School District confirmed that the alleged victim is not a student in the district.
In a statement, district officials said they are aware of the pending criminal charges and emphasized that the allegations do not involve any Rahway students and are unrelated to any incidents within the school system.
Patterson’s attorney, Brett Rosen, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case remains pending in court.