A Colorado paraprofessional for the Littleton School District was recently arrested after a video allegedly showed the bus aide violently assaulting a disabled child on a school bus.
According to The Denver Gazette, 28-year-old Kiarra Jones was arrested on April 4 after the bus aide was allegedly recorded assaulting a 10-year-old non-verbal autistic boy. The 28-year-old has been accused of repeatedly abusing three children on the bus over a period of several months.
In a letter obtained by CBS News, Littleton School District Superintendent Todd Lambert said Jones was hired in August of 2023 after “satisfactory reference checks and after passing a thorough background check.” The superintendent explained that Jones was fired on March 19 after a parent “observed injuries to their child after being transported home.”
The Denver Gazette reported that the 28-year-old has been charged with third-degree assault against an at-risk juvenile. Jones was released on a $5,000 bond and is currently scheduled to appear in court on May 3.
READ MORE: Illegal immigrant from Haiti allegedly rapes disabled girl
According to the Denver Gazette, Jones allegedly abused the 10-year-old disabled boy at least three times between February and March while the child was riding home from school.
An Englewood Police Department report of one incident states that Jones looked toward the bus driver and then proceeded to “hit (redacted name) in the mouth with the closed fist of her right hand. The punch is so hard, (redacted name) head goes back and hits the seat.”
Jones was recorded repeatedly pushing, pulling, and elbowing the 10-year-old boy. The former bus aide was also recorded using both hands to hold the child’s head down for approximately 17 seconds.
Officer Brian Martinez noted that the young boy did not “perform any actions to warrant the assault” and that the child seemed to be breathing heavily and crying throughout the assault.
After being notified by the child’s parents after the third incident in March, the superintendent said, “LPS immediately conducted an initial investigation, met with the family involved and notified law enforcement, who we understand has been actively investigating the matter since that day.”
According to Rathod and Mohamedbhai LLC, three families have hired the law firm to represent them as investigations continue into the abuse allegations.
“Video footage from March 18, 2024, captured the reprehensible actions of the bus aide, who repeatedly struck, punched, and stomped on one of the children,” the law firm stated. “These senseless attacks on defenseless, severely disabled individuals are appalling.”
A graphic video and multiple pictures from one of the assault incidents have been shared on social media. The photos show the harm allegedly inflicted upon the young boy by the bus aide.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO/PICTURES:
