Bus Aide Arrested for Allegedly Bullying 5-Year-Old Boy
Published at
George Doyle/Stockbyte(PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla.) — A school bus aide in Port Saint Lucie, Fla. was arrested and charged with stalking after surveillance footage showed her allegedly bullying a 5-year-old boy.
Newly released surveillance videos show Daneta McPherson, 37, yelling at the boy and threatening to take him home with her.
In the video, McPherson is seen towering over the child, reducing him to tears as she berates him on the bus.
On at least one occasion, McPherson grabbed the boy and caused him to hit his head on the side of the bus, according to the police report.
A school employee first reported the alleged abuse to police and provided them with videos in December. After a four month long investigation, McPherson was arrested on Thursday.
“He’s an innocent victim,” Port Saint Lucie assistant police chief Richard Del Toro said. “It’s a violation of public trust, as far as I’m concerned.”
McPherson was released from jail on $20,000 bond. Calls to McPherson were not immediately returned Saturday.
The director of communication for the St. Lucie County Schools told Good Morning America that McPherson was still with the school district, but in a role away from students.
Her status with the school is pending the legal process, the spokeswoman said.
The boy’s family declined to comment.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio