Littleton Public Schools has agreed to a settlement amounting to $3.85 million with the families of three autistic, non-verbal children who suffered abuse while being transported on school buses. The former school paraprofessional responsible, Kiarra Jones, was admitted to child abuse charges in early January, as reported by CPR. The school board approved the settlement in the hopes of rectifying the harm incurred and preventing future incidents.
According to CBS News Colorado, the settlement funds will be covered by the district's insurance, ensuring that no educational services to students will suffer as a consequence. The abuse, which took place between September 2023 and March 2024, was first brought to light after a video surfaced in April 2024 showing Jones hitting a non-verbal student. After the abusive conduct of the aide, the district reacted by revising its policies, including conducting weekly reviews of school bus surveillance video and retaining these records for 30 days.
Jessica Vestal, one of the parents whose child fell victim to this abuse, expressed gratitude to district leadership for swift action, mentioning, "We have already begun building a model that other districts can learn from -- one that affirms disabled children are worthy of safety, dignity, and protection equal to any other child," as told to CBS News Colorado. Meanwhile, Littleton Independent reported on a lawsuit also filed against The Joshua School, to which the children were en route. This particular suit addresses the school's alleged failure to report observed injuries and behavior changes to authorities.
Superintendent Todd Lambert communicated to parents the district's dedication to student safety, stating, "Parents put a tremendous amount of trust in us every day. Please know student safety remains our highest priority." Jessica Vestal, a parent whose child sustained the abuse, emphasized in an email the necessity for continued advocacy, which, as acknowledged by CPR, is crucial for meaningful change. The settlement represents an acknowledgment of the serious breach of trust and a commitment to reinforce the policies to protect all students, particularly those highly vulnerable because of their disabilities.
