Seven students from Georgia, ranging in age from 5 to 14, were apprehended by law enforcement for allegedly assaulting a 7-year-old peer during a morning school bus ride, according to local police. The incident, which occurred on April 18, took place while the students were on their way to Mattie Lively Elementary School in Statesboro, as reported by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
The authorities were alerted about the incident approximately a week later. The alleged perpetrators were identified after the police reviewed the security footage from the school bus. The video reportedly showed the group of students ganging up on the young child.
Captain Todd Hutchens of the local police department described the incident as a “violent attack.” He stated that one of the children climbed over the seat and used his feet to stomp on the 7-year-old. Hutchens emphasized that even at the age of five, children should know the difference between right and wrong and should understand that it is unacceptable to physically harm another child.
The victim of the assault reportedly suffered only minor bruising. However, the incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of students during their commute to school.
The bus driver, 70-year-old Joey Edwin Jackson, was also arrested in connection with the incident. Jackson was charged with failing to halt the violent episode, not pulling the bus over, and neglecting to report the incident to the school district. Hutchens stated that Jackson did not call for help and continued to drive to the school despite the ongoing assault.
Jackson was charged with second-degree cruelty to children and failure to report child abuse. He was also dismissed from his job. Jackson was taken into custody at Bulloch County Jail on April 30 and was released the next day after posting a $15,000 bond.
The seven students involved in the incident were suspended from their respective schools. Their cases will be processed in juvenile court. Superintendent Charles Wilson of Bulloch County Schools stated that such behavior will not be tolerated and that the school district is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all students.