[ad_1]
Kiarra Jones, 29, was arrested on suspicion of assault after a video showed her striking a boy multiple times in the face and on the body.
LITTLETON, Colo. — Video showing a woman repeatedly hitting a nonverbal boy as he was strapped into a harness on a bus has prompted Englewood Police to arrest her on suspicion of felony assault.
The video is now a catalyst into deeper scrutiny into what could have been months of abuse on the bus against several children who live with developmental disabilities.
Court records show Kiarra Jones, a bus aide with Littleton Public Schools, was arrested April 4 and has bonded out of the Arapahoe County Detention Center. A background check shows this is her first arrest.
The video shows Jones sitting next to a boy who is 10 years old. Jones appears to elbow the boy in the midsection and then strike him in the face with her fist. Then Jones appears to stomp on his feet.
The incident occurred March 18, according to an affidavit obtained by 9NEWS.
In the affidavit, an Englewood Police detective wrote he reviewed more bus camera footage that captures more abuse on two other days, including Feb. 13 and March 1. The video was obtained as part of an investigation after a parent raised concerns about bruising on their child.
Attorney Qusair Mohamedbhai, who represents at least two families whose children ride the bus, released the March 18 video to the media on Tuesday.
“The abuses of special needs children continues to occur because school districts treat this community as a burden rather than a blessing,” Mohamedbhai said. “School districts routinely fail to train and support those who work with special needs student populations.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, families of those children said they’ve been raising concerns about injuries to their children since last August and that Littleton Public Schools initially said it found no issues.
9NEWS has reached out to the Littleton Public Schools and is awaiting a response from the district.
If you have any information about this story or would like to send a news tip, you can contact jeremy@9news.com.
More 9NEWS stories by Jeremy Jojola:
RELATED: Plea bargain details released in case of motorcyclist who uploaded YouTube video of himself speeding
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.
[ad_2]
Source link
