In a disturbing case of abuse, Jessica Vestal’s 10-year-old autistic son came home from school in suburban Denver with bruises all over his body. The abuse continued, with more injuries including a black eye and a bruised foot, until Vestal asked to review the bus surveillance video, where she discovered that the bus aide was abusing her son. The aide, Kiarra Jones, was charged with one count of third-degree assault on an at-risk person. Despite being released from jail after her arrest, Jones did not comment on the matter when contacted. She is currently being represented by lawyers from the public defender’s office. Littleton Public Schools superintendent Todd Lambert confirmed in a letter to parents that Jones was terminated following her arrest, stating that such behavior was not tolerated.
However, the district did not respond to allegations made by Vestal, her lawyers, and other parents that the district failed to investigate the unexplained injuries suffered by their children. Parents are considering a lawsuit against the school district following the abuse incidents. Brittany Yarborough, a parent whose 11-year-old nonverbal son was also on the same bus, now believes that Jones is responsible for her son’s injuries as well. Englewood police confirmed that more than one autistic student was abused and are continuing to review video and other evidence to identify all the victims. Vestal, who watched a portion of the footage showing her son being physically abused, decided to release the video to raise awareness about the abuse happening to children under the care of bus aides.
Vestal expressed her concern that similar abuse may be happening to other children without anyone knowing. She highlighted the importance of paying attention to such incidents to prevent them from happening again. The release of the video footage shed light on the severity of the abuse suffered by autistic students at the hands of a trusted bus aide. The case has prompted a call for a thorough investigation into the conduct of bus aides and the policies in place to protect students with disabilities. The families of the victims are seeking justice and accountability from the school district for failing to take action to prevent the abuse.
The incident has raised broader questions about the safety and well-being of students in special education programs and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures. The impact of the abuse on the victims and their families is profound, leading to calls for changes to ensure the protection of vulnerable students. The community’s response to the case has been one of shock and outrage, with many expressing support for the families affected and calling for swift action to address the systemic issues that allowed the abuse to occur. Moving forward, there is a heightened awareness of the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of all students, particularly those with special needs, in educational settings.
