Teen sentenced for burning Ind. district’s buses
The 15-year-old boy, who has been in secure detention for 68 days, will spend a maximum of 22 more days there, followed by several months at a treatment center for children, for intentionally starting a fire in June that destroyed four Tippecanoe School Corp. buses. If he fails to comply at the treatment center, he will be sent to the state’s Department of Correction.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A 15-year-old boy who has been in secure detention for 68 days will spend a maximum of 22 more days there, followed by several months at a treatment center for children, for intentionally starting a fire in June that destroyed four Tippecanoe School Corp. buses.
The boy, who pled guilty last month to one count of arson, a Class B felony, and three counts of criminal mischief, a Class C felony, will also remain under the area superior court’s jurisdiction until he turns 21, The Journal & Courierreports.
While the boy did not testify or provide a statement on Wednesday during the final disposition hearing for the case, he admitted last month during a fact-finding hearing to pouring charcoal lighter fluid onto the front seat of a bus that was parked at one of the school corporation’s elementary schools overnight on June 3. Flames spread to three nearby buses, causing about $425,000 in damage.
He also testified that he was accompanied by a friend, a 14-year-old boy, whose idea it was to sneak outside, but his friend has not been charged and likely will not be charged because the 15-year-old has lied and wavered on what exactly took place during the event.
According to The Journal & Courier,Judge Loretta Rush, who is presiding over the case, said that the boy has tried to minimize his responsibility for the incident, saying, for example, that he claimed that his friend brought the items used to start the fire — despite acknowledging before that the charcoal starter fluid came from his mother's backyard.
Rush also said that if the boy fails to comply at the Cary Home for Children, where his treatment will include behavior modification, he will be sent to the state’s Department of Correction.
More Safety

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.
Read More →
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.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
