Bus driver suspended for lewd texting
8:59 AM
By St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- A bus driver has been suspended for allegedly sending sexually
explicit text messages to students.
Paul Tandy, a spokesman for the Parkway School District, said the driver is a
man in his 20s who is under investigation by the Chesterfield Police Department.
The bus driver works for First Student, which is under contract with the
Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Program to provide transportation. His route was
for students attending Parkway Central High School.
Tandy said the district was notified about 1:30 p.m. Thursday that a girl, 15,
had received text messages from the driver. He was immediately pulled from the
route when the district complained to the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice
Program. More students have since come forward that it happened to them as
well, Tandy said.
"They were sexual in nature," Tandy said of the text messages. "Clearly
crossing the line, in our opinion, and there's no place for a bus driver to be
texting his students. The kids are entrusted in his care.
"We think it's criminal in nature, frankly," Tandy added. "We believe, if the
allegations are founded, there would be criminal charges."
Lt. Steven Lewis of the Chesterfield Police Department said that once the
detectives interview everyone involved, the matter would be turned over to
prosecutors. He said it could be wrapped up in a week or two.
explicit text messages to students.
Paul Tandy, a spokesman for the Parkway School District, said the driver is a
man in his 20s who is under investigation by the Chesterfield Police Department.
The bus driver works for First Student, which is under contract with the
Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Program to provide transportation. His route was
for students attending Parkway Central High School.
Tandy said the district was notified about 1:30 p.m. Thursday that a girl, 15,
had received text messages from the driver. He was immediately pulled from the
route when the district complained to the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice
Program. More students have since come forward that it happened to them as
well, Tandy said.
"They were sexual in nature," Tandy said of the text messages. "Clearly
crossing the line, in our opinion, and there's no place for a bus driver to be
texting his students. The kids are entrusted in his care.
"We think it's criminal in nature, frankly," Tandy added. "We believe, if the
allegations are founded, there would be criminal charges."
Lt. Steven Lewis of the Chesterfield Police Department said that once the
detectives interview everyone involved, the matter would be turned over to
prosecutors. He said it could be wrapped up in a week or two.
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