Police: 7-, 8-year-old boys attacked Michigan City school bus driver, monitors
By Stan Maddux Times Correspondent | Posted: Monday, April 16, 2012 8:40 pm | (40) Comments
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Two boys from a Michigan City-area grade school must appear in court after police said they physically assaulted their bus driver and two bus monitors Friday.
The boys, ages 7 and 8, were cited for battery and released to their parents after receiving a summons to appear in court.
LaPorte County sheriff's police Officer Harlan Williams said the findings from a police investigation will be turned over to school administrators for possible further action, such as expulsion.
The two boys from Michigan City's Springfield Elementary School were throwing a lanyard across their seats while riding the school bus home Friday afternoon, police said.
Bus monitor Lucille Buke, 73, approached the oldest boy and told him to stop, police said.
The boy started cursing at Buke and calling her names, and, when the bus monitor admonished him, the other boy began spewing insults at the woman, police said.
The boys also kept throwing the lanyard, forcing the driver Shaunda Gilbert, 35, to stop the bus on Springville Road, police said.
The youngest boy threatened to get off the bus and headed toward the door, but Gilbert blocked his way, police said.
The boy shoved her to the floor and violently pulled on her hair while slamming her head against the floor, police said.
After letting go of her hair, the boy punched Gilbert in the upper body, including her chest, police said. The oldest boy then stepped in and punched Gilbert in the head and face several times, police said.
Another bus monitor, Patrick Morris, 19, tried to help calm down the boys and was punched in the thigh, police said. All three workers were able to gain control of the boys just before officers arrived, police said.
Williams said the boys admitted striking the driver and monitors because they didn't like being told to stop "playing around."
They were handcuffed and returned to their parents with a summons to appear in court May 11. Police said the boys were warned their parents would be arrested if they didn't show up for the hearing.
Police said Gilbert complained of a severe headache and neck pain and had some redness to her face.
Buke complained of pain to her face while Morris experienced pain to his leg, police said.
LaPorte County Police Chief of Detectives John Boyd said video footage clearly shows the school district employees did not retaliate, which is what they are trained to do.
"They were truly part of the solution and not part of the problem. They just stood their ground and took it," Boyd said.
Boyd said both boys were big for their size.
"These are kids who were completely out of control," Boyd said.
Michigan City Area Schools spokeswoman Betsy Kohn said the employees returned to work Monday, and both boys are being disciplined. Kohn said declined to offer more information, citing it was a disciplinary matter.
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