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Another Child Accused Of Attacking Muslim Girl At Staten Island School

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on charges she helped bully and attack a Muslim girl at their Staten Island middle school.

The girl was being charged as a juvenile, along with a 12-year-old boy who was arrested last Wednesday. She was charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime and attempted robbery.

She was due in Family Court Tuesday.

The boy is a sixth grader at the Dreyfus Intermediate School in Stapleton.

Authorities said the two bullied and tormented a 13-year-old Muslim girl calling her a "terrorist" and trying to steal from her.

They said the abuse culminated with the two trying to rip off her head dress. The girl suffered minor injuries.

If convicted, the 13-year-old faces 18 months in juvenile detention.

School officials said disciplinary action was pending.

The father of the boy accused in the attack has said his son is also a Muslim.

Carol D'Auria of 1010 WINS spoke to the victim, who said the first attack against her was in January and detailed the incident.

"When I came up to the school, they just pushed me in the snow and I was in the snow.  And like they started to kick me and I said I'm a Muslim," she said.

The victim told D'Auria that in recent weeks she has felt "scared" after the same 12-year-old boy reminded her of the first incident, saying "Remember I jumped you."

Do you think this constitutes a hate crime? Share your comments below.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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