The school bus aide, Kiarra Jones, who was previously charged with one felony count of third-degree assault on an at-risk person for hitting a nonverbal autistic boy, is now facing 10 additional charges of abuse involving two children. These new charges include eight additional counts of third-degree assault on at-risk persons and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse. The victims, both nonverbal autistic boys, were identified in court documents but their names were redacted. The abuse incidents were captured on bus surveillance video and were brought to light by the mother of one of the victims, Jessica Vestal, who noticed unexplained bruises on her son’s body.
Vestal’s son, a 10-year-old boy, was shown being hit in the video released by his mother last month. In addition to the initial assault charge against Jones, each of the new assault charges represents a day in which there were multiple separate incidents of abuse against the children. The families of the students who rode on the bus where Jones worked are being represented by lawyer Qusair Mohamedbhai. Jones is now being represented by lawyers from the public defender’s office, who have declined to comment on the case to the media.
The incidents of abuse against the nonverbal autistic boys occurred over a period of time, with the victims suffering injuries such as unexplained bruises, a black eye, and a bruised foot. Vestal raised concerns about her son’s injuries and urged the school district to review the bus surveillance video to determine the source of the harm. The new charges against Jones, which include eight felony counts and two misdemeanor counts, highlight the severity and extent of the abuse that took place on the school bus. The case has sparked outrage and concern among parents and advocates for children with special needs.
Prosecutors have taken swift action in response to the abuse allegations, filing multiple charges against Jones to hold her accountable for her actions. The details of the abuse incidents, captured on surveillance video, have shed light on the vulnerability of children with special needs and the importance of ensuring their safety and protection. The families of the victims are seeking justice for their children and are working with legal representatives to pursue appropriate legal action against Jones. The broader community is also calling for increased oversight and accountability in school transportation services to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
