In a disturbing incident in Statesboro, Georgia, seven students, ranging in age from 5 to 14, were arrested for allegedly attacking a 7-year-old classmate during a bus ride to Mattie Lively Elementary School.
The incident, which occurred on April 18, has led to battery charges for the students involved, as well as charges against the bus driver who failed to intervene.
The Violent Attack
According to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, the attack began early in the morning while the students were on the bus. Police were notified about the assault nearly a week later, after security footage from the bus was reviewed. The footage revealed a violent incident in which a group of students teamed up to attack the younger child.
One of the students allegedly came over the seat and stomped on the victim, while others reportedly joined in with physical blows. Captain Todd Hutchens described the attack as “violent,” and noted that 5-year-olds are capable of understanding right from wrong and should be held accountable for their actions.
The Victim’s Condition
Fortunately, the victim only suffered bruising from the assault and did not sustain more severe injuries, as reported by WTOC. The child’s parents have yet to comment publicly on the incident, but the situation has raised concerns over bullying and safety on school buses.
The Role of the Bus Driver
In a shocking turn of events, the 70-year-old bus driver, Joey Edwin Jackson, was also arrested after authorities discovered that he had failed to intervene during the attack. Despite the violent nature of the incident, Jackson did not stop the bus, nor did he call for help or report the assault to school officials.
Police said that Jackson continued to drive the bus to the school without stopping, and failed to notify the bus garage about the assault. As a result, he was charged with second-degree cruelty to children and failure to report child abuse.
Jackson was fired from his position as a bus driver and was booked at Bulloch County Jail on April 30. He was released the following day after posting a $15,000 bond.
Consequences for the Students
The seven students involved in the attack were all suspended from their respective schools, according to police. Since the incident involved minors, the cases will be handled in juvenile court.
A Message from School Officials
The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, and Bulloch County Schools Superintendent Charles Wilson made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated in his district.
He told reporters, “It’s not going to be tolerated in Bulloch County Schools. One thing we know is, we owe it to everyone in the community that when your child comes to school, your child is going to be in a safe environment where they can be treated well and learn.”