WHITE PLAINS — A family dispute with their disobedient daughter landed the new president of the city school board and her husband in jail.

Board of Education President Michelle Trataros said the teen "needs a good beating" before her husband, William, "smacked her in the face," according to a signed statement William Trataros gave a detective.

The couple were arrested Thursday night at their home, 898 North St., after the daughter, 15, fled to a friend's house. A parent there called police, Deputy Commissioner Daniel Jackson said.

After questioning, the Trataroses were booked early yesterday morning, Jackson said. They spent about 12 hours in lockup and were released without bail after a brief arraignment yesterday afternoon in City Court.

Both were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Michelle Trataros, 48, was also charged with second-degree harassment, a violation. She has served on the school board since 2000 and was named president in July; she also serves on the city Youth Board.

William Trataros, 60, a retired teacher, was also charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Defense lawyer Ted Brundage escorted the couple away from a reporter and out of the Public Safety Department building after they pleaded not guilty before City Judge Joanne Friia.

Brundage said neither wanted to say anything. He said their daughter wasn't badly hurt and was staying with a relative.

According to court records, William Trataros told police the family had argued about the girl "sneaking out of the house, smoking and stealing."

In his written statement, he said the girl had twice snuck out at night and left a life-size doll in her bed. The first time was two weeks ago, and the second was Wednesday, he said.

On Thursday evening, Michelle Trataros found the girl had packed bags full of clothes, according to her husband's statement.

"My wife talked about hitting (her) as she was bringing her down to the den, but I told my wife not to hit her," his statement said. "As she arrived to the den, I told her that she was not leaving with anything that I had given to her. I took her sweat shirt off, and I smacked her in the face with my opened hand."

Under state law, a parent is allowed to use force against a child younger than 21, but only "when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to maintain discipline or to promote the welfare of such person."

The Trataroses are due back in court Wednesday.


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