Seminole County Schools Play It Smart With Bus Driver Accused Of Child Abuse

I was struck by a story recently published by WFTV Channel 9 regarding a Seminole County school bus driver who had been arrested by Seminole County sheriff's deputies over the weekend and accused of child abuse against her own daughter.  The bus driver is said to have bitten her daughter on the arm during an argument, and then poured rubbing alcohol over the girl, after the girl allegedly hit the mother.

The interesting part of the story for me, as an Orlando accident attorney who frequently handles child abuse claims, was the part where the Seminole County school officials say that have taken the accused bus driver out of her bus, and out of direct contact with children, and into a desk job while they do their own investigation regarding the allegations.

Channel 9 apparently asked one parent in Seminole County what he thought, and he said that the bus driver should face any consequences from Seminole County Schools because the incident did not happen in the course and scope of her work.

I have to say that I wholeheartedly disagree with the parent that was interviewed, and agree with the approach taken by Seminole County Schools.  I think it is the safest, and most rational approach to take in order to protect the school children, as well as to reduce the liability of the School Board.

If anything violent or untoward happened to one of the kids on this lady's bus, and the School Board had not taken time to investigate her, a claim for negligent retention or negligent supervision would be a practical "slam dunk".  By taking her out of circulation -- even temporarily -- the School Board can show that it made an effort to vet her and were satisfied that she posed no risk to students.  I think Seminole Schools is doing the smart thing on this one.

If you have any questions regarding child abuse or child sexual abuse, please call Orlando accident attorney Kim Cullen at 407-254-4901.