An aide working on a Hillsborough County school bus faces charges after allegations emerged of hitting a 9-year-old autistic student, per reports from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The incident, which involved a nonverbal child, came to light following a response by deputies to Cypress Creek Elementary School in Ruskin on Friday, as FOX13 News detailed.
The boy's mother reported her suspicions that her son had been the victim of abuse while being transported by the school bus, an accusation leading to the subsequent arrest of 79-year-old James Savage, the aide involved, investigators found through their probe Savage allegedly hit the child on his hand and, as surveillance footage suggested, took his hat off to slap the victim on the face with it; officers met with the child's mother to discuss the concerning matter, a meeting confirming the troubling nature of the complaint.
Reacting to these events, Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the actions, saying, "Any form of abuse against a child is completely unacceptable," as quoted by KSN.com, he emphasized the need for children to feel secure, "especially in the care of those entrusted with their well-being." Sheriff Chronister's office takes the protection of vulnerable individuals seriously, vowing to hold those who breach trust accountable for their actions.
Savage is now facing one count of child abuse and the sheriff's office stands firm in upholding a zero-tolerance stance on such matters per additional details obtained by mysuncoast.com, Savage was observed engaging in the said abusive conduct on at least one occasion which led to the swift response by the local law enforcement advocating for the child's defense and upholding the duty to protect all within their jurisdiction from harm.
