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Fatal Shooting at Pennsylvania School Bus Drop-Off Leads to Arrest

A 16-year-old Harrisburg teen has been charged with criminal homicide after the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old student moments after stepping off a school bus.

Jeremiah Moran, 16, is charged with first-degree murder, firearms not to be carried without a license, and possession of a firearm by a minor in connection with the death of a 17-year-old.

Police said the fatal shooting occurred May 29 near an intersection shortly after students were dismissed from school and days before the end of the school year. The 17-year-old had just exited a school bus when investigators say Moran approached and opened fire. The victim was transported to a local hospital for emergency care but died due to his injuries.

Video Shows Fatal Shooting

Investigators reportedly obtained video evidence allegedly showing Moran firing the weapon to shoot the victim, identified as Camar Cordero by local reports. Police said via local news that Moran later admitted to officers that he shot Cordero.

“There still is some of the puzzle that needs to be put together. But at this point in time, I think we have a pretty good understanding of what transpired and as to why it transpired as well,” Harrisburg Police Capt. Kyle Gautsch told local news reporters.

Investigators have not publicly released a motive for the fatal shooting.

However, the shooting prompted a large police response as officers secured the scene and collected evidence. Authorities noted that a school bus visible at the scene was not the bus Cordero had been riding but another bus traveling behind it.

Sixth Street remained closed for several hours while detectives processed evidence. Crime scene tape surrounded a large section of the roadway, where investigators marked multiple pieces of evidence. Witnesses reported seeing clothing and numerous evidence markers within the secured area. The road reopened around 6:15 p.m.

Neighbors who rushed to assist the victim described a chaotic scene in the moments after gunfire erupted. Judith Weaver, who helped organize emergency aid before first responders arrived, said residents immediately worked to help the wounded teen.

“I knew the bus had just let out. So, I went running down there,” Weaver told local news reporters. “Everyone was just so worked up. It was all chaos.”

Weaver said bystanders used available fabric to apply pressure to Cordero’s wounds while waiting for emergency personnel. She credited several community members, including a young girl who assisted efforts to keep the victim conscious.

Lt. Brandon Braughler of the Harrisburg Police Bureau praised residents who responded and cooperated with investigators. “The community came out,” Braughler said. “They’ve been very cooperative helping establish a very large crime scene.”

The fatal shooting has renewed concerns about youth violence in the city. Gautsch urged parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives and be aware of potential warning signs.

“Make sure you know what’s going on with your children, what’s going on in their heads, and what’s in your lives and their lives,” Gautsch said.

The Harrisburg School District also responded to the tragedy. Superintendent Benjamin Henry said he hopes to hold a memorial in the coming days for Cordero and another student who died last week after being struck by a vehicle.

“As a father and an educator, I refuse to normalize this tragic shooting,” Henry said in a statement, calling on residents, community leaders and elected officials to work together to address violence affecting young people.

Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.


Related: Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested
Related: Texas Student Arrested Following Alleged Sexual Assault on School Bus
Related: Teen Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Student Waiting for School Bus in New York
Related: Teen Charged in Pennsylvania School Bus Shooting, 3 Others Wanted

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Setting Fires Lands Former Utah School Bus Driver in Federal Prison

A former Utah school bus driver who admitted to setting fire to his school bus, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, bringing an end to a decade-long case that raised concerns about student safety.

Michael Austin Ford, 60, of West Valley City, pleaded guilty in March to arson of a vehicle belonging to an organization receiving federal funds after investigators determined he intentionally ignited a Granite School District bus with a cigarette lighter while driving it in April 2023. Federal prosecutors said surveillance video captured Ford setting the fire beneath the dashboard and continuing to drive as smoke billowed past his face.

In addition to the prison term, Ford was sentenced Monday to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution.

The case drew heightened attention because prosecutors also accused Ford of setting another school bus fire in February 2022 while 42 children were aboard. According to court records, students reported smelling smoke and were seen on video covering their faces with their shirts and coughing as smoke filled the bus. Ford eventually stopped the vehicle, evacuated the students, and used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. No serious injuries were reported. The charge related to that incident was dismissed as part of his plea agreement.

Federal authorities said Ford also attempted to tamper with the bus video surveillance system in the days leading up to the April 2023 fire, but investigators were still able to obtain video evidence showing him igniting the blaze.

Fires Go Back at Least 10 Years

Ford had worked for the Granite School District since 1998 and drove school buses for approximately 25 years before he was terminated following the investigation.

Investigators also linked Ford to several other suspicious fires. According to court documents, authorities determined he was involved in eight fires, including four involving Granite School District buses, two at his West Valley City residence and two involving personal vehicles. Police noted that the four bus fires all originated in the dashboard area and occurred while Ford was driving. One of those incidents occurred in 2017 when a bus was partially engulfed in flames, damaging part of the vehicle. No children were on board, and no injuries were reported. Authorities initially believed the fire was caused by mechanical problems before later identifying Ford as the driver.

“Protecting our most vulnerable population is a top priority,” U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said in a statement following the sentencing. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and my office who worked tirelessly on this case to bring it to a close and hold Mr. Ford accountable for his intentional disregard for safety and the law.”


Related: Former Utah School Bus Driver Heads to Federal Court for Alleged Arson
Related: New Hampshire School Bus Transporting Athletes Catches Fire
Related: South Carolina Man Charged in Connection to School Bus Arson, Vandalism
Related: Two Juveniles Charged with Destroying Buses in Arson Fire

The post Setting Fires Lands Former Utah School Bus Driver in Federal Prison appeared first on School Transportation News.

Illinois School Bus Driver Arrested Following Child Sexual Assault Allegation

A school bus driver contracted to transport students for the Rantoul City School District in Illinois has been arrested on allegations of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, reported WCIA News.

According to the news report, 35-year-old Illinois school bus driver Johnnie C. McClendon Jr. was taken into custody May 28 following an investigation conducted by the Rantoul Police Department. Police said McClendon was arrested without incident.

McClendon is employed by First Student Inc., the transportation company contracted to provide bus services for the district, said police via the article.

“At this time, investigators have received no allegations of misconduct related to his employment, and the investigation appears to involve matters unrelated to his position with the company,” the police department said in a statement to local news reporters.

Police reportedly declined to release additional details, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of those involved. Court records had not been updated as of Friday to reflect formal charges filed by the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office. McClendon remained in custody following his initial court appearance.

Rantoul City Schools Superintendent Scott Woods said district officials were notified by police of the arrest and immediately contacted First Student regarding the driver’s status.

“We have confirmed with First Student that the individual will not be driving for our school district in future,” Woods said in a letter sent to families.

Woods said district officials have been informed that the allegations are not related to McClendon’s conduct while driving a school bus. However, he noted the district has not received information indicating whether the alleged conduct involved a student enrolled in the district.

“We take all matters involving the safety and well-being of children extremely seriously and are monitoring the situation closely,” Woods wrote. “Student safety remains our highest priority.”

The district said it will continue cooperating with law enforcement and communicating with First Student as appropriate.

Police encouraged anyone who may have experienced inappropriate conduct, whether related to the case or otherwise, to contact the Rantoul Police Department. The investigation remains ongoing.


Related: Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 16 Years for Sexual Assault
Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged After Alleged Failure to Stop Assaults
Related: Sexual Assault on School Transportation Vehicles: A Call for Action

The post Illinois School Bus Driver Arrested Following Child Sexual Assault Allegation appeared first on School Transportation News.

Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested

A teen girl was shot and injured near a school bus stop in Wood Village, Oregon, leading to the arrest of a 14-year old suspect who fled the scene.

According to the police report, Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 4:14 p.m. May 15 to reports of a shooting near Northeast 235th Avenue after a school bus driver called 911. When first responders arrived, they found a teenage girl suffering from a gunshot wound.

Deputies immediately began providing life-saving aid until paramedics arrived and transported the girl to a local hospital. Authorities said she was alert and responsive while receiving treatment at the scene.

In an update released a day later, investigators confirmed the teen girl shot is 13 years old and has non-life threatening injuries. Detectives said the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the shooting itself remain under investigation, though preliminary findings indicate the incident may have started with an argument.

Witnesses told investigators the suspect ran from the area immediately after the shooting. Authorities did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public, and no shelter-in-place order was issued.

Investigators coordinated with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office while interviewing witnesses, collecting video footage and processing evidence connected to the case.

The shooting rattled nearby residents, many of whom said they were alarmed to learn the victim was a young teenager. “I was really bummed to find out it was a teenager when I was talking to police,” nearby resident Corbin Mandzij told local news reporters.

Another neighbor expressed concern about violence occurring in a neighborhood with many children. “A stray bullet can go anywhere,” the neighbor told the station. “There’s lots of kids around here, my biggest worry is about the kids.”

Some residents said the shooting happened only steps from their homes. “It was 15 feet from my property line, right outside my front door,” one neighbor said. Others said the incident has left them feeling uneasy.

Teen Girl Shot by 14-Year-Old Boy, Police Allege

Authorities announced Tuesday that a 14-year-old boy accused of shooting the girl turned himself in to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. According to investigators, the surrender was coordinated through the suspect’s attorney after detectives requested he come forward.

The suspect surrendered at the Multnomah County Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center and was booked on charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Because the suspect is a juvenile, authorities said they will not release additional identifying information.

Investigators said the shooting began after two teenage girls got into a physical fight after exiting a school bus. Detectives said both girls knew the 14-year-old suspect. During the altercation, the boy allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot the 13-year-old girl before fleeing the scene. Authorities also confirmed the suspect is not enrolled in the Reynolds School District. However, it was unclear if the suspect was on board the school bus with the girls. The victim remains hospitalized with injuries considered non-life threatening.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office credited deputies, detectives, analysts and members of the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force for their work on the investigation. Authorities also thanked community members who provided cellphone video, tips and other information related to the case.


Related: Teen Charged in Pennsylvania School Bus Shooting, 3 Others Wanted
Related: Pennsylvania Student Arrested After Allegedly Bringing Gun on School Bus
Related: North Carolina Student Arrested for Shooting Gun on School Bus
Related: North Carolina Students Injured After Gunshots Fired Outside School Bus

The post Teen Girl Shot Near Oregon Bus Stop, Suspect Arrested appeared first on School Transportation News.

Stolen School Bus Crashed by Michigan Man Out on Bond

A Michigan man already free on bond in a separate assault case is accused of stealing a decommissioned school bus, crashing it into a tree and ditch, and fleeing on foot, reported Mlive News.

Andre Weston, 21, of Carrollton Township, was charged May 11 with unlawfully driving a motor vehicle, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Police said Weston left the adult foster care facility where he lives around 8 p.m. May 8 without authorization. Staff at the facility in the 800 block of Piper Drive reported him missing about 90 minutes later.

As officers headed to the facility, a call came in around 9:45 p.m. from a homeowner on Lincoln Street reporting that a school bus had become stuck in his front yard.

The homeowner reportedly told police he noticed the stolen school bus driving down the residential street late at night and thought it seemed unusual. The bus later began backing down the road before veering into the yard, striking a tree and becoming lodged in a ditch.

The driver then exited through the back door and ran toward Mapleridge Road. Officers later found Weston near Carrollton High School, about a half-mile from the crash site.

Alleged Stolen Bus Taken from Contractor

After being advised of his rights, Weston admitted to stealing the bus from the high school parking lot, police said via the news report. The stolen school bus had been decommissioned and recently purchased from the school district by contractor Dean Transportation. Investigators said the vehicle had been left unsecured with the keys inside.

A tow truck was required to remove the bus from the ditch, and police are reportedly reviewing surveillance footage to determine exactly when the bus was taken. Weston was arraigned Monday in Saginaw County District Court before Judge M. Randall Jurrens.

At the time of the incident, Weston was free on bond in a separate case filed in March charging him with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors allege he assaulted two female staff members at the foster care facility where he lives. A preliminary examination on the new charge is scheduled for May 26.


Related: Stolen Bus Driven from Kentucky School District to Nearby Store
Related: A Major Crash in Louisiana Involving a Stolen School Bus
Related: Alabama Stolen School Bus Found, Man Charged
Related: Teen Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends with School Bus Crash

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Loaded Gun On South Carolina School Bus Leads to Quick Arrest

An 18-year-old student was arrested after he brought a loaded gun onto a school bus headed to a South Carolina high school, Blythewood High School.

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Kelvin Figueroa was charged with carrying a weapon on school property.

Deputies were alerted of the situation Monday morning after another student on the bus sent a text message to 911 communications reporting that Figueroa was in possession of a firearm. Authorities said the tip prompted an immediate response from law enforcement.

School resource officers assigned to Blythewood High School along with additional deputies located and intercepted the bus as it arrived on campus. Officials said Figueroa was quickly detained upon arrival.

A search of his belongings led to the discovery of a loaded pistol inside his bag. Investigators said there was no indication that Figueroa had attempted to use it during the bus ride. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

It remains unclear where Figueroa obtained the loaded gun. He was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was booked. Jail records show he remains in custody, and no bond has been set as of Monday.

Officials have not said whether Figueroa will face disciplinary action from Blythewood High School or the Richland 2 School District. However, under state and federal law, firearm possession on school property typically carries a mandatory expulsion recommendation of at least one year, subject to district policy and due process.

Authorities Praise See-Something, Say Something Student

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott praised the student who reported the gun, emphasizing the importance of speaking up in potentially dangerous situations.

“That took courage, and it made a difference,” Lott said in a statement. “Because of that student, we were able to intervene immediately and prevent a potentially dangerous situation.”

South Carolina State Director of Transportation Mike Bullman said while the incident was very serious, it was quickly and successfully contained. “In many cases, the most effective safeguard is human behavior rather than physical security,” he told STN. “From a transportation standpoint, we believe the system responded appropriately, and there is no evidence of a procedural breakdown based on what we know at this time.”

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about school safety and the role students can play in preventing violence via “See something, say something.” Law enforcement officials have increasingly encouraged the use of anonymous reporting tools and emergency communication systems to alert authorities to threats.

“We stress drivers and transportation officials the importance of being mindful and attentive to their surroundings, recognizing when something may be out of the ordinary, and the importance of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ culture,” Bullman said. “Certainly, in this case, it really paid off,” Bullman said.

Authorities have not released further details about potential motives or whether additional charges could be filed.


Related: South Carolina Man Arrested for Allegedly Pointing Gun at School Bus
Related: 9-Year-Old Arrested for Bringing Loaded Gun onto Florida School Bus
Related: North Carolina Student in Custody for Bringing Gun on School Bus
Related: Pennsylvania Student Arrested After Allegedly Bringing Gun on School Bus

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Americans’ views on crime often diverge from actual crime trends, report says

Portland police officers stand behind police tape outside an apartment building in eastern Portland, Ore. Americans’ perceptions of crime often diverge from actual crime trends and are influenced by factors, such as personal experiences and economic conditions, according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Portland police officers stand behind police tape outside an apartment building in eastern Portland, Ore. Americans’ perceptions of crime often diverge from actual crime trends and are influenced by factors, such as personal experiences and economic conditions, according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Americans’ views on crime often don’t match reality — and a new report suggests those perceptions are shaped as much by personal experiences and economic conditions as by crime itself.

The analysis, released by the nonprofit think tank Council on Criminal Justice, draws on decades of Gallup survey data to examine how people perceive crime and what drives those beliefs. The report’s authors found that, since the 1960s, public perceptions of crime have frequently diverged from actual crime trends.

Even during periods when crime declined, most Americans continued to believe it was rising. From 2005 to 2024, about 69% of survey respondents on average said crime was higher than the year before, despite overall crime rates falling in most of those years, according to the report.

Fear of crime has remained relatively stable over time. In 2024, 35% of Americans said they were afraid to walk alone at night — the same share as in 1968.

The researchers found that public concern tends to track major shifts in homicide rates more closely than broader crime trends. But overall, people’s views about crime and their fear of it have not matched shifts in crime rates for most years, according to the report.

Instead, the analysis points to other factors that shape how Americans think about public safety.

Household victimization — whether someone in the home has been a victim of a crime — was one of the strongest predictors of both fear and the belief that crime is increasing. 

Property crimes, such as theft, and people’s own experiences with crime were more closely tied to concerns about the issue than actual violent crime rates.

Economic sentiment also played a role. People who said it was a good time to find a job or expected to spend the same or more on holiday shopping were less likely to say crime was rising and less likely to report fear of walking alone at night, according to the report.

Political views showed a more limited effect. While people with more conservative ideologies were somewhat more likely to perceive crime as increasing, political party affiliation itself was not a significant factor after accounting for economic conditions and other variables.

Higher presidential and congressional approval ratings were associated with a greater likelihood that respondents said crime was staying the same or declining, according to the report.

Local conditions, meanwhile, were more closely linked to personal fears than to perceptions of crime overall. The researchers found that neighborhood factors, such as poverty and youth population, were associated with whether people said they were afraid, but did not generally influence whether they believed crime was rising locally or nationally.

Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@stateline.org.

This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Wisconsin Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 16 Years for Sexual Assault

A former New York school bus and Uber driver will serve 16 years in prison for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl over the course of nearly a year.

Miguel Enrique Diaz, 49, admitted in court that he repeatedly abused the 12–year-old child between December 2022 and October 2023, both inside his personal vehicle and at his home. At the time of the offenses, Diaz was working as both an Uber driver and a school bus driver at the Bay Shore School District.

Hewas sentenced April 24 to 16 years behind bars followed by 15 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a Class B violent felony, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

“This sentence is substantial, but it pales in comparison to the potential lifelong trauma the victim will endure,” Tierney said in a statement. “We hope the strength this young survivor showed in coming forward is the first step in her healing and encourages others to speak out.”

Mother’s Report Led to Investigation of School Bus Driver

The abuse came to light in March 2024, when the victim disclosed the incidents to her mother, who then contacted law enforcement. Following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section, Diaz was arrested that same year.

Authorities said the investigation included interviews, evidence collection and coordination with prosecutors from the district attorney’s Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.

Diaz pleaded guilty March 17. He is expected to serve his sentence in a New York state correctional facility and will also register as a sex offender upon his release.

Officials did not disclose how the former school bus driver encountered the victim but emphasized that the case highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to individuals in positions of trust, particularly those who work with or around children.


Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Former Georgia School Bus Monitor Charged After Alleged Student Assault
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Charged After Alleged Failure to Stop Assaults
Related: Former New York School Bus Driver Accused of Assaulting Student

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Florida Driver Arrested After Train Strikes School Bus Carrying 29 Students

Florida law enforcement authorities arrested a veteran school bus driver for allegedly ignored railroad warning signals and driving into the path of an oncoming train that struck the rear of her vehicle with 29 students on board.

Yvonne Hampton, 67, a former driver for the Sumter County School District, faces charges of reckless driving, culpable negligence and 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred April 2 in Bushnell, Florida. Officials said a train clipped the back of school bus No. 2517 after Hampton drove onto the tracks despite active warning signals.

No injuries were reported, but students described the incident as terrifying.

Recounting the Near-Miss

Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bus, which reportedly showed the railroad crossing’s warning arms and sirens were activated at about 4:07 p.m. as the bus approached. Six seconds later, a woman’s voice, believed to be Hampton, was heard saying, “Not gonna stop for no train,” before the bus proceeded across the tracks. Moments later, the train struck the rear left side of the bus. Only cellphone video recorded by students inside the bus has been publicly shared.

Students could be heard reacting in panic in the video, with one shouting, “There is a train coming!” Authorities said Hampton told students to “get in your seats” seconds before impact.

Hampton told deputies she was already moving across the tracks when the warning system activated and that she continued forward as far as possible. Investigators, however, allege she ignored the signals and made the decision to cross despite the approaching train.

Sumter County Sheriff Pat Breeden said in an update that deputies working with the school district conducted a thorough investigation that led to the Florida driver’s arrest.

Superintendent Logan Brown said Hampton had worked for the district since 2015 and resigned in lieu of termination following the incident.

“The trust that our families place in us to transport their children safely is something we take extremely seriously,” Brown said in a video statement. “Anyone who jeopardizes that trust will not work in the Sumter County School District.”

Alleged Neglect Could Have Been Disastrous

Brown emphasized how narrowly a more serious tragedy was avoided.

“When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event,” he said, noting the collision missed a more severe impact by “a matter of six inches.”

Brown also praised the train conductor, who he said sounded the horn continuously and attempted to brake upon seeing the bus on the tracks.

“Based on everything we know, he did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he’s a hero in this situation,” Brown said.

Parents and students said the emotional impact remains significant. District officials said the crossing where the crash occurred lacks red traffic lights and provides limited clearance space for large vehicles after crossing the tracks. Following the incident, the district determined the location is unsafe for school bus routes and has since rerouted so school buses do not cross it.

Officials said they are reviewing additional safety measures. “We have also learned valuable lessons from this incident and are actively reviewing additional safety measures to ensure that something like this does not happen again,” Brown said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.


Related: Watch: School Bus Drivers Reminded About Railroad Safety
Related: Wisconsin School Bus Driver Arrested
Related: Florida School Bus Driver Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: Florida District Introduces Innovative Safety Training for School Bus Drivers

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Child Strangulation Charge for Arrested Virginia School Bus Driver

A Lynchburg school bus driver has been arrested for alleged child strangulation during an incident on a bus parked at an elementary school, reported WDBJ 7.

Police responded to an incident at Linkhorne Elementary School March 30, after receiving a report of a disorderly individual. An investigation later determined that a school bus driver allegedly assaulted a student while the bus was parked in the schools lot.

Authorities said via the article that the investigation, conducted in coordination with Lynchburg City Schools, revealed the student had been strangled during the encounter. The child did not suffer life-threatening injuries from the alleged strangulation and is considered safe.

Effie Wynn, 73, of Lynchburg, was arrested April 4, and charged with child strangulation and neglect. She is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

Police did not release additional details about what led to the incident or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. Officials also did not say whether other students were present on the bus at the time.

The case remains under active investigation, and additional charges could be possible as the investigation continues. Lynchburg City Schools has not publicly commented on the arrest but has reportedly been cooperating with law enforcement.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.


Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Arrested on Child Abuse Charge
Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Arrested, Charged with Solicitation of a Minor
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Accused of Child Abuse in Ongoing Beating

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Stolen Bus Driven from Kentucky School District to Nearby Store

A man was arrested over the weekend after authorities say he stole a school bus from a high school parking lot and later abandoned it at a nearby store, reported ABC 13.

According to the news report, officers responded Saturday afternoon to a Dollar General near Glasgow High School after school officials reported that the stolen bus had been located. The vehicle showed visible scratches on the rear-passenger side and front that appeared to be recent.

Glasgow Independent Schools Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp said GPS data indicated the bus was started at approximately 4:34 a.m., left school property and traveled along Coral Hill Road before making a stop. The bus was later parked at the Dollar General around 5:27 a.m.

Security camera footage identified the suspect as 18-year-old Tayesean M. Barlow. The footage reportedly showed Barlow entering the bus with a flashlight and appearing to have what looked like a drum magazine attached to a handgun in his waistband. He was later seen sitting in the driver’s seat, starting the bus and driving away. Police said he briefly stopped to speak with someone out of view before continuing and eventually parking the bus.

According to the article, officers later went to Barlow’s home on Coral Hill Road, where his mother told them she was aware of the situation and had instructed her son to return the stolen bus. Barlow then came outside and was taken into custody.

While being held at the Barren County Detention Center, Barlow reportedly told police he had been with friends at a local apartment complex and decided to leave after “things got a little crazy.” He said he entered the bus after finding it unlocked, located the keys and drove it home because he did not want to walk.

Barlow remains jailed on a $25,000 cash bond. He faces charges including theft by unlawful taking, second-degree criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a weapon on school property, and operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.


Related: Louisiana Family Arrested Amid Accusations of Stealing School Bus
Related: Teen Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends with School Bus Crash
Related: Alabama Stolen School Bus Found, Man Charged
Related: Stolen School Bus Chased into Indiana Cornfield

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Bus Monitor Charged with Sex Crimes Involving Teen School Bus Rider

A 78-year-old school bus monitor in South Carolina is charged with sex crimes involving a teenage girl who was riding his bus, reported The Augusta Press.

According to the news report, McDonald Walker of Aiken was charged Friday with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and criminal solicitation of a minor. The charges stem from an incident reported March 6 on a school bus.

Police stated a 14-year-old girl said she boarded the bus and took a seat when Walker approached her. “The bus monitor got up from his seat and went over to speak to her and then returned to his seat,” the report states. “The victim stated she began crying.”

Authorities reportedly said Walker allegedly made another comment to the teen girl as she was getting off the bus. Details of the alleged conduct were not immediately released, and officials said additional information is expected in formal warrants.

Aiken Public Safety Lt. Jennifer Hayes said investigators are working to obtain those warrants, which typically provide more specific descriptions of the allegations. Walker turned himself in to authorities Friday and was served with the warrants, Hayes said. He was later released after posting a $20,000 bond.

Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the encounter or whether additional incidents are being investigated. It was also unclear if Aiken County Public Schools continued to employ the school bus monitor.

Records show Walker has previously been arrested multiple times in Aiken County. Past charges include domestic violence in 2017, 2018, and 2023, as well as violating an order of protection in 2018. He was also charged with assault and battery in 2017, a case that resulted in a sentence of 30 days in jail or a fine. The investigation remains ongoing.


Related: New York School Bus Aide Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Children
Related: Florida School Bus Aide Arrested on Child Abuse Charge
Related: Florida School Bus Attendant Arrested for Inappropriate Behavior with Young Girls
Related: Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver

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Child Sexual Assault Charge for Colorado School Bus Driver

Police arrested a suburban Denver school bus driver on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child.

Officers for the Lakewood Police Department were notified March 11 of a possible assault involving a 10-year-old student and the child’s school bus driver, identified as 64-year-old Robert Charles Watters, according to authorities.

A child reported that the Jefferson County Public Schools driver had engaged in what investigators described as an “inappropriate relationship,” prompting an immediate investigation.

Watters turned himself in March 12 and was taken into custody. He was arrested and faces charges on suspicion of sexual assault on a child involving a pattern of abuse and a position of trust, police said.

The allegations stem from what police called an inappropriate relationship. No further details were provided.

“As part of this investigation, detectives are asking anyone who may have information or believes they may have been a victim or witness to come forward,” police said in a March 13 statement posted to Facebook, urging the public to contact the Lakewood Police tip line.

Watters remained in custody at the Jefferson County jail as of March 13, authorities said.

According to police, Watters has worked as a school bus driver for Jefferson County Public Schools near Denver since 2018. He drove Hutchinson Elementary School students on the C-49 route from 2021 to 2023 and had been assigned to the C-31 route since August 2023.

Officials emphasized that the charges are allegations and that Watters is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact authorities. The investigation remains ongoing.


Related: Maryland School Bus Aid Charged with Sexual Assault
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New York School Bus Aide Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Children

A school bus aide on Long Island was arrested and accused of physically abusing multiple students with special needs, including restraining them by pushing and sitting on them, reported People.com.

According to the news report, police took 37-year-old Devone Medlock of Amityville into custody on March 17, following an investigation into an incident reported in January.

Detectives said Medlock, who worked as an aide for school bus contractor First Student and served a local school, became “physically and verbally abusive with multiple children who are special needs students.”

Medlock is reportedly accused of pushing, slamming, restraining and sitting on the students during the incident, which was first reported Jan. 13. He was arrested at his Long Island home.

Police charged Medlock with six counts of third-degree assault, six counts of menacing in the third degree, and six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was scheduled to be arraigned last weekend.

School District Responds

Uniondale School District Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil said Medlock was immediately terminated following the allegations coming to light. The school also district notified law enforcement.

“We have been cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as this matter proceeds through the legal system,” Darrisaw-Akil said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We are committed to ensuring any individual or individuals responsible for any abusive or harmful behavior towards any of our students are held accountable.”

First Student also said the alleged conduct was unacceptable, and confirmed Medlock is no longer employed by the company.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have been a victim or has information about the case to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at at 1-800-244-TIPS.


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North Carolina Man Accused of Indecent Exposure at School Bus Stop

A North Carolina man was arrested after authorities say he exposed himself at a neighborhood school bus stop, where children and families were gathered, reported Fox 8.

Police arrested Angel Esteban Marte, 24, March 5 and charged with felony indecent exposure after the incident in Harnett County.

Deputies said Marte exposed his private parts at the bus stop, and investigators said the act was committed “for the purpose of arousing and gratifying the defendant’s sexual desire.”

Marte also faces a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge in connection with the incident.

The exact location of the bus stop was not specified. The offense is listed as a violent crime on a condition of release order.

According to the article, Marte was being held without bond at the Harnett County Jail. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance.


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Minnesota Man Accused of Pointing Gun at School Bus

A 38-year-old man already facing charges in a separate case is accused of pointing what appeared to be a long gun at a school bus transporting nine children in southern Minnesota, reported Fox 9.

According to the news report, police charged Alex Jeffrey Wolters with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and threats of violence following the March 5 incident in Faribault.

Police said officers received a report around 7:40 a.m. from a school bus aide who claimed they saw a man brandishing a gun. Investigators later identified the man as Wolters.

Law enforcement officials reviewed video from the school bus that showed the aide reacting after spotting the object. The bus was transporting nine children at the time of the incident. Authorities arrested Wolters several hours later.

During a post-Miranda interview, Wolters denied pointing anything at the bus but acknowledged he had been in his home garage that morning. He told police he had been working on an insulation project and went into the garage to retrieve an item. Officers later found a copper tube and black plastic tubing in the home’s attic that, when combined, resembled a long gun.

Police also spoke with Wolters’ father, who allowed investigators to inspect two-gun safes inside the home. Authorities said one safe appeared to have been tampered with since the father said he last used it. Another safe appeared partially opened but remained locked.

The complaint states the tampered safe contained several rifles, shotguns and a pistol, while the other safe held two pellet rifles.

Court records indicate Wolters was already on pretrial supervision in a separate 2025 case involving threats of violence. He allegedly threatened to “murder everyone” in a local apartment building, saying he would go to a police station and “kill the police.”


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Mother Faces Charges After Allegedly Assaulting School Bus Driver

A mother is facing multiple charges after authorities allege she assaulted a school bus driver while trying to board her children in Cobb County, Georgia, reported WSB-TV 2.

According to the news report, Zaria Stovall is accused of boarding a Marietta City Schools bus and confronting the driver Feb. 24.

Police say via the article that Stovall refused to get off the bus and threatened the driver. The encounter escalated into a physical altercation, during which Stovall allegedly struck the driver and threw a spray bottle at him.

Stovall’s children were on the bus at the time of the incident. Authorities have not said what prompted the confrontation.

She was charged with simple assault, simple battery, criminal trespassing and disruption of public-school education, according to authorities.

Stovall later posted a $5,000 bond, jail records show. Authorities have not released additional details about the driver’s condition.


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Pennsylvania School Bus Driver Accused of Drunk Driving With Students On Board

A school bus driver is facing dozens of charges after authorities say she drove a bus carrying 54 elementary school children while heavily intoxicated.

An arrest warrant was issued for Kelly Weber, 46, of Boyertown. She is charged with driving under the influence, 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 54 counts of reckless endangerment and several summary offenses, according to the office of Kevin R. Steele and Robert B. Evans.

Police said the drunk driving incident with children on board occurred around 4 p.m. Feb. 6 in Douglass Township after authorities received reports of a school bus driving erratically, narrowly missing other vehicles and nearly striking a telephone pole.

An officer located the bus near Second Avenue and Gilbert Road, where it had come to rest in a snowbank.

Investigators said the bus belonged to Quigley Bus Service. Officers reported finding an open 750-milliliter bottle of Tito’s Handmade Vodka on the bus, along with two empty 50-milliliter bottles of the same brand. Police also recovered a receipt showing the alcohol had been purchased at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits earlier that morning.

Authorities said Weber consented to a blood test. Results from NMS Labs showed her blood alcohol concentration was 0.331. Testing also detected Delta-9 Carboxy THC at a level of 6.6.

Drunk Driving Incident Endangers Dozens of Children

Investigators determined that 54 children were on the bus during the route, including five under age 6. Authorities said several children contacted their parents during the ride, saying they were frightened by the driver’s behavior. One child got off the bus early and was picked up by parents.

“More than 50 young children were in a dangerous situation created by this defendant, who chose to consume a significant amount of alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a school bus and drive miles while intoxicated,” Steele said in a statement.

Officials said Weber checked herself into a rehabilitation facility shortly after the incident. Police said arrangements are being made for her to surrender to authorities, after which she will be arraigned on the drunk driving and endangerment charges, and bail will be set.


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School Bus Theft Results in Crash, Arrest of Two Juveniles

Two boys, 12 and 15 years old, were taken into custody after allegedly stealing a school bus in New York and crashing into a residential home early on Feb. 26, reported CBS 6.

According to the news report, the school bus theft originated at the Amazing Grace Transportation lot at approximately 6 a.m. on Feb. 27. The bus was then driven to a nearby home, where it crashed.

Despite some property damage, emergency responders confirmed that no residents inside the home were injured. Residents in the neighborhood reported hearing the crash and expressed relief that no one was hurt, though many were shaken by the early morning disruption.

Investigators said the two juveniles fled the scene on foot after the crash but were located nearby and detained by police officers.

Both boys face charges that include criminal possession of stolen property and criminal mischief, authorities said. Because of their ages, the case will likely progress through family court proceedings rather than the adult criminal justice system.

Officials have not released additional details regarding the motive behind the school bus theft or whether the suspects have legal representation. The investigation remains active as law enforcement continues to piece together how juveniles accessed the bus managed to drive it off the transportation company lot.


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