Mom ordered to serve jail time for assaulting bus driver

A judge sentences Bethany Rudd to 10 days in jail for the December incident in which she boarded her son’s school bus and allegedly hit driver Helen Gibson in the face. However, the judge allows Rudd to file for an appeal, enabling her to avoid jail time for now, and she is due back in court in April for the assault and battery charge against her.

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February 19, 2013

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CULPEPER, Va. — Last week, a judge ordered a 33-year-old woman to serve 10 days in jail for assaulting a Culpeper County Public Schools bus driver in December, the Star Exponent reports.

As previously reported, the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office said that the female bus driver was transporting elementary students when the incident occurred. Bethany Rudd, the mother of a student, allegedly approached the driver and accused her of threatening to kill her son.

Rudd had allegedly yelled at the bus driver and tried to obstruct the bus door from closing. The bus driver reportedly asked the mother multiple times to get off of the bus.

Police said that at one point, Rudd’s arm was caught in the closing bus door. When the driver opened the door, Rudd allegedly hit her in the face.

Now, the Star Exponent reports that Rudd was found guilty of assault and battery against bus driver Helen Gibson, who retired on Dec. 31.

Retired Judge Steven Helvin sentenced Rudd to 30 days in jail before suspending 20 days.

“I’ve been a judge a long time, and I’ve seen plenty of cases,” Helvin said prior to the sentencing, according to the Star Exponent. “I don’t enjoy hearing cases like this. For your behavior, you deserve to go to jail.”

However, Helvin allowed Rudd to file for an appeal, enabling her to avoid jail time for now.

Rudd is scheduled to appear in court on April 15 for the assault and battery charge against her.

Topics:parent disputes Virginia Safety

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