Judge sentences teens in bus beating to ‘indefinite’ probation

Following recommendations from the Department of Juvenile Justice, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Raymond Gross includes several conditions in the probation, such as electronic monitoring, community service and a requirement that the students transfer if they are assigned to the same school as the victim. Some say the sentence is too lenient.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

September 3, 2013

1 min to read

LARGO, Fla. — Tampa Bay Times reports that Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Raymond Gross followed recommendations from the Department of Juvenile Justice and sentenced all three 15-year-olds who beat a 13-year-old on a school bus in Gulfport to "indefinite probation."

The probation includes several conditions, such as electronic monitoring, community service and random urine screenings. Additionally, if any of the three students are assigned to the same school as the victim, they must transfer to a different school.

Last month, the Department of Juvenile Justice recommended nine months of probation for two of the youths. By last week, the department's recommendations had become stricter, based on input from the department’s secretary. The judge told the teens that the prosecution could have tried them as adults, the paper reports.

Many have said that the probation sentence is too lenient, according to the paper. As SBFpreviously reported, the beating that prompted the case sparked significant media controversy over whether the bus driver should have intervened.

To read the full story, click here.

Topics:student violence video surveillance Safety

More Safety

A close up detail of the back of a school bus with text reading "Insight From 10 Years of NHTSA Data."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•July 22, 2026

NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes

The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.

Safety•by Amanda Huggett•July 21, 2026

2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing

New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•July 9, 2026

Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York

A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.

School buses at NSTA's SBDISC Roadeo with text reading "School Bus Drivers Put Their Skills to the Test."

Safety•by Staff and News Reports•June 30, 2026

NSTA Announces 2026 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition Winners

Drivers from across the U.S. and Canada showcased their safety and driving skills, with two defending champions successfully retaining their titles.

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.