Cathy Hurley, a 56-year-old teacher at William Shemin Midtown Community High School, in Bayonne, New Jersey, saw a student being attacked by a group of five and decided to intervene. Cell phone footage shows 5 teen boys stomping on a boy lying face down on the street covering his head. Other students stood around watching and even a few adults did little more than yell "stop it". Cathy ran to the boy and covered him with her body to absorb the blows.
According to Hurley’s daughter, Frankie Sielski, her mother instinctively intervened, as she was “raised to stick up for the underdog.”
Following the incident, all five teens involved were charged with multiple crimes including assault, and the victim of their attack was taken to the hospital unconscious.
Bayonne School District Superintendent John Niesz praised Hurley’s actions, saying "I can tell you this, that teacher embodies what each and everyone who works and lives in Bayonne is all about.”
Frankie says "my mom is living proof that society is full of good, selfless people".