School bus driver charged with felony neglect in student violence case

Students allegedly tormented classmates on the bus for most of the school year; they will be tried on charges of sexual battery, strangulation and intimidation early next year.

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November 19, 2009

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VALPARAISO, Ind. — The first trial in the case of three students accused of terrorizing classmates on a school bus was set to begin this week.

The bus driver will be tried for felony neglect of a dependent, according to the Post-Tribune, and faces up to three years in prison if found guilty.

The three former Portage High School students allegedly tormented fellow passengers from August 2008 to March 2009. They are scheduled to go on trial early next year for charges ranging from sexual battery to strangulation and intimidation.

The driver's attorney points to the school's lack of support for all bus drivers, as administrators allegedly knew of trouble with the students from the year before but did not inform the driver.

Topics:behavior management legal issues Safety

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