School bus monitor arrested for hitting special-needs student with seat belt buckle

HOUSTON — According to police documents, a school bus monitor here was arrested for allegedly hitting a special-needs student several times with a seat belt buckle and a folder while riding the bus, Houston Chronicle reports.

Angleton Independent School District (ISD) charging documents stated that video footage from the bus on Sept. 8 shows bus monitor Rachel Hernandez hitting a 17-year-old student with a rolled-up folder after telling him, "I'll pop you," according to the newspaper. Police said that the student was not being combative or aggressive.

Police also allege that nearly a week later, Hernandez swung a seat belt at the student and hit him with the buckle three times: on his thigh, his hand and his leg, according to Houston Chronicle. The charging document states that the student never became aggressive or gave Hernandez reason to have to defend herself. The student is non-verbal and is transported by the bus to a special care facility.  

Hernandez was charged with felony injury to a disabled person, according to the newspaper. Angleton ISD told Houston Chronicle that Hernandez and two other district officials were placed on administrative leave with pay while the district conducted an investigation, and the student did not require medical treatment.

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