CLIFTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A New Jersey woman was arrested after screaming anti-Muslim slurs at two teens wearing hijabs and hitting one in the head in a nail salon in Clifton, prosecutors said Thursday.
Nancy B. Jones, 59, faces charges of fourth-degree bias intimidation, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and simple assault. Police said she turned herself in Wednesday after a warrant was issued for her arrest.
The teen sisters, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old, reported that the woman approached them in a tumultuous manner at the nail salon on April 30, telling them to go back to their own country and that they don't belong here, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
The incident took place as the sisters were waiting inside the New Natural Nails on Lakeview Avenue. Clifton police responded to a report of an assault at around 2 p.m.
During the incident, Jones struck the 13-year-old victim in the head, police said.
Jones was later identified and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She turned herself in to Clifton police on May 25.
"We are deeply troubled by this alleged bias-motivated behavior. Physically and verbally attacking two young girls to the point of tears is appalling," Selaedin Maksut, the executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), said in a statement.
Jones was released on conditions, authorities said. The charges have been referred to a grand jury.
"Communities in New Jersey and nationwide must come together to oppose anti-Muslim bigotry and all other forms of hate," Maksut said.
