Ross Co. school bus driver accused of sexually touching students

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A substitute bus driver in Ross County is accused of inappropriately touching two young students.

According to the report provided by the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a Zurma Court home on reports of a sexual assault this week. The incident involved a 7-year-old boy who alleged inappropriate touching by his school bus driver.

The victim’s mother, the report states, said the assault occurred while the regular school bus driver was on leave and a substitute driver was in charge. The young boy — a student at Adena Schools — reportedly needed to use the restroom during the bus ride. The substitute driver allegedly stopped the bus, allowing the child to step outside. However, instead of assisting him, the driver allegedly pulled down the boy’s pants and touched him inappropriately, the report states.

The victim’s mother reported that this was not an isolated incident. Another male student, the mother said, was also removed from the bus and subjected to a similar assault.

One boy, who the mother told deputies was autistic, had been showing signs of distress related to school and bus rides, she said.

The ongoing investigation was assigned to detectives for further follow-up. The name of the bus driver was redacted by the sheriff’s office.

The Guardian reached out to Adena Local School Superintendent Matthew Unger for comment on the allegations. At this time, those requests for comment have gone unanswered.