An investigation is underway in Duval County after an unauthorized individual boarded a Duval County Public Schools bus Tuesday and briefly touched a student, according to district officials. The person was removed from the bus, and school leaders notified families assigned to that route. Authorities are reviewing video footage and talking with witnesses to determine exactly what happened and whether criminal charges are appropriate.
District confirms probe
Action News Jax reports that Duval County Public Schools has opened a formal investigation and contacted the families of students who were on the bus at the time. The district has not publicly identified the person involved and has not said whether the individual was a student or someone from outside the school system, according to the station.
How buses are monitored
According to Duval County Public Schools, all district school buses are equipped with video cameras “for the purpose of ensuring the health, welfare and safety of all staff, students, and drivers.” The district’s school bus code classifies any unauthorized rider as a trespasser and directs bus drivers and monitors to report safety concerns through established procedures.
Parents on edge after recent violence
The latest report lands in a district already tense about bus safety. In February, a 14-year-old was stabbed on a Duval County school bus headed to Matthew Gilbert Middle School, as detailed by News4JAX. In that case, the teen was charged with attempted second-degree murder, and the incident renewed calls for tighter supervision on school bus routes and for the district to rely on cameras and staffing to help keep riders safe.
What happens next
District officials and law enforcement plan to review bus video and witness statements before deciding on any disciplinary action or criminal charges, Action News Jax reports. Parents with questions or concerns have been encouraged to contact their school administration and DCPS transportation staff so the district can address route-specific safety issues directly.
