YORK CO., Va. — A York County School Division school bus aide is no longer employed by the district after an alleged assault involving a 6-year-old student with disabilities, according to the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
“It was not easy to watch," York-Poquoson Sheriff Ron Montgomery said.
Montgomery is referring to video from a school bus camera, which he said captured a school bus aide, 75-year-old Cynthia Greasley, dragging a child off a bus at Mount Vernon Elementary Oct. 1.
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Montgomery declined to release the video, Wednesday saying it’s evidence.
"She dragged the child down the aisle from the rear of the bus to the front of the bus by both of his arms and then pulled him up, basically, into a standing position," Montgomery explained.
Brannon Cater has two kids at Mount Vernon. She didn’t know much about what happened, but said knowing that something happened is worrisome.
“I think we all worry, making sure our kids are safe. We leave them with these other people to take care of them," said Cater.
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Her kids don’t ride a bus, but this incident won’t prevent her from letting bus riding be an option.
“I think its important for us to still keep an open mind, that one person doesn’t mess this up for everybody else," Cater said.
Montgomery said Greasley declined to give a statement when she was arrested Tuesday night, but she was cooperative. She was taken to jail and has since bonded out.
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“We’ve done a lot of training here with the Autism Society of Tidewater, so we recognize that there are times when you’re dealing with people who have autism, or have been diagnosed with autism, there can be times when they have what they call a meltdown," said Montgomery. "Without that type of training, it is difficult to interact with them. I think it’s important that they receive this training. It’s my understanding that this woman did receive this training.”
A spokesperson with the school division said in a statement Wednesday the district took immediate action and called the sheriff's office. The school division also launched an internal investigation.
"On Tuesday, October 1, Mt. Vernon Elementary School administrators notified the School Board Office of an allegation of unprofessional conduct by a bus aide involving a student with disabilities. We took immediate action, launching an internal investigation and notifying the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office. As a result of these investigations, the individual has been charged with assault and battery and is no longer employed by the York County School Division.
The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority. Our hiring procedures involve mandatory and thorough background checks and fingerprint clearance. Additionally, YCSD employees participate in training designed to equip them with the skills necessary for managing student behavior in a safe and supportive manner. When there is a question of safety or misconduct, we immediately investigate and take appropriate actions."
