POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A school bus attendant here is facing child abuse charges after allegedly beating an 8-year-old boy with special needs on Dec. 3, deputies told the Tampa Tribune.
According to an affidavit released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, video shows Clara McGriff hitting the boy with a water bottle and her hand while he was restrained in a body harness and pressing him against the side of a bus numerous times with her body, according to the newspaper.
The incident started after the boy threw a seat belt that was next to him and McGriff took the seat belt from him and hit him with it, deputies told Tampa Tribune. The boy continued to throw the seat belt and McGriff struck the boy on the arm with a water bottle two or three times. She used her body to press him against the bus wall and window and exchanged words with him, deputies told Tampa Tribune.
McGriff was charged with intentionally and maliciously inflicting physical pain to the boy without causing great bodily injury, according to the newspaper. She has also been suspended without pay by the Polk County School Board and Superintendent Kathryn LeRoy will recommend her termination at the school board's next meeting.
To read the full story, click here.
Bus aide charged with attacking autistic student
Clara McGriff, a monitor in Polk County, Florida, allegedly hit the boy while he was restrained in a harness and pressed him against the side of a bus numerous times. She is facing child abuse charges and has been suspended without pay.
More Special Needs Transportation

The Most Common Wheelchair Securement Mistakes on School Buses (and How to Fix Them)
Small missteps in wheelchair securement can have serious consequences. Here are 32 tips from experts to reduce risk and increase student safety on the bus.
Read More →
Inside AMF Bruns’ New Showroom: School Bus Securement Solutions Explained
Go inside AMF Bruns America’s new Ohio showroom with Maritza Valentin to see its FutureSafe technology, driver training tools, securement systems, and seating innovations.
Read More →What AMF Bruns’ New Facility Means for Customers [Video]
Inside AMF Bruns’ new Stow, Ohio, operations: See how expanded space and innovation will enhance customer support and operations.
Read More →
2026 State of Student Transportation Report
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
AMF Bruns Expands in Ohio, Investing in Growth and Community
With expanded production space, local investment, and a growing workforce, AMF Bruns is scaling its U.S. presence. Here’s an exclusive first look inside the new Stow, Ohio, HQ.
Read More →
Inside AMF Bruns of America’s New Ohio Manufacturing Facility [Photos]
Take a behind-the-scenes look at AMF Bruns of America’s new 41,000-square-foot Stow, Ohio, headquarters, featuring advanced manufacturing, expanded space, and future-ready mobility solutions.
Read More →
Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions
While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.
Read More →
First Student Boosts Student Support in Wichita & Texas
First Student and Wichita Public Schools are using behavioral support strategies to improve student ride experiences, while a separate initiative expands access to after-school programs through a bus donation.
Read More →2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →
