Crime

Harnessed to a bus seat: A school assistant is seen on camera “slapping” and “smacking” a 9-year-old with autism on the route home from class, according to police

by Jackson
Published On:
Harnessed to a bus seat: A school assistant is seen on camera "slapping" and "smacking" a 9-year-old with autism on the route home from class, according to police

James Savage, a 79-year-old school bus aide in Hillsborough County, Florida, faces a felony child abuse charge after surveillance video allegedly showed him striking a nonverbal autistic 9-year-old boy on a bus. The incident occurred on January 9, 2026, while the child was harnessed in his seat at Cypress Creek Elementary School in Ruskin.​

Incident Description

Video captured Savage slapping the boy’s left hand and removing his baseball cap to smack the left side of the child’s face. Police observed red linear markings on the boy’s hand, confirming the mother’s report of potential abuse.​

Arrest and Charges

Deputies arrested Savage less than three hours after the mother’s complaint. Prosecutors seek pretrial detention without bond, citing his behavioral patterns as a risk, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.​

Sheriff’s Response

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the acts, stating child abuse is unacceptable and those entrusted with vulnerable children will face consequences for violating that trust.

SOURCE

Jackson

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