"This bus driver shouldn't go to jail just because he slapped an unruly child"?????

[jfulcer]

There's a case here in Milwaukee where some parents put a tape recorder in their developmentally disabled son's backpack (because of reports from the school that their child was misbehaving) and caught the child's bus driver yelling at the boy and slapping him.

The Bus driver's father was quoted as saying "He shouldn't have to go to Jail because he slapped an unruly child".

What? Are you kidding me? There is NEVER any reason for slapping children, especially a bus driver. The driver is being charged with Child Abuse and disorderly conduct.

ARRGGHHH! What is this world coming to?

read the article here

 

[Saffron]

Urgh!!!!! How dispicable!

 

[tw1nsmom]

My DH and I were watching this yesterday. DH was furious and said that, had that been our child, the driver would have wished he was in jail after DH took care of him. Did you see how afraid that child was when he saw the harness? I wish they would strap that driver into a bus seat and have a much larger person scream and hit him for several months. Jail is almost too kind.

 

[DawnCt]

This is completely unacceptable behavior. When my 3rd grader (a few years ago by now) snuck Halloween candy on the school bus, the bus driver walked to the back of the bus, looked at him and said, "no candy" and slapped him sharply acrossed the face. When the bus arrived at school, an entire group of kids ran to the principal's office to report the incident. I wasn't notified until the end of the school day. I was surprised that she was allowed to drive my son home! I got no response from the principal or superintendant until I went to the police station a filed a complaint. Then we were given a hearing which was promptly cancelled when they realized the gentleman that was attending the hearing was our attorney. We got what we wanted which was; She is never to drive any of our children anywherre again. And if we moved to the other side of town, her route would have to be changed. Why the school system would want to keep her employed probably had a lot to do the union. Which says a whole other thing about unions.

 

[Kissimmee JP]

Agreed. Heaven help the person that lays a hand on one of my kids. I'm not a particularly violent person, but if someone hits my kid, it's coming back at them 10-fold - I'm also not the smallest person around.

That bus driver should not only lose his job, but go to jail for awhile to think about if what he did was worth it or not.

 

[Mskanga]

I wonder what would happen if I slap my child when she's being unruly in a public place.....I bet you anything I would sleep in jail for a while after that!

 

[Mermaid02]

Unreal!! I'd have his job. And charge him with assault and battery.

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by jfulcer
The Bus driver's father was quoted as saying "He shouldn't have to go to Jail because he slapped an unruly child".

Then by all means, let someone slap the hell out of HIS unruly adult child and get away with it. His daddy needs to stay out of it. His son admitted to the act and knows he did wrong. Let him be accountable for his actions.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

That is crazy Jeff. I dont blame the parents at all for what they did, if I thought something was up I would do something about it to.

AS far as the idiot who said he should not go to jail <b>needs</b> to be slapped!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You know I saw the parents and child on TV yesterday and they made mention to the fact that another parent complained

But the mother of another boy who rides the bus said she complained to the school months ago about Duchow.

I wonder if this was made public or that this family knew about the complaint?

It is just sickening...

 

[kejoda]

Its bad enough that he would hit a child but a developmentally delayed one? Jail is to good for him.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Oh My Gosh!!

No way!! If any bus driver slapped ANY of my kids, let alone Garrett, not only would I be at the school at the drop of a hat, but both sets of grandparents and his two uncles!!!!

You better believe I would be filing assault charges or something. It is inexcusible to slap a child, IMO, no matter what!

 

[GeorgeG]

I've got to side with Browneyes on this one, folks.

For the most part, there's very little excuse for hitting someone else's child (or your own), but there can be exceptions. We're seeing a whole generation growing up without understanding that there are always consequences for their behavior. They may be small or big, good or bad, but there are always consequences for what you do (even good things you do). Yes, it would be great if sitting kids down for a serious discussion worked all the time, but so many parents don't even do that.

There's often a fine line between discipline and abuse, but there IS a line.

 

[fklhou]

portions of the tape of this guy has been played on the news. He clearly deserves jail time and should not be allowed around children. The child he was hitting had downs which to me make his actions even more objectionable.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by GeorgeG
I've got to side with Browneyes on this one, folks.

For the most part, there's very little excuse for hitting someone else's child (or your own), but there can be exceptions. We're seeing a whole generation growing up without understanding that there are always consequences for their behavior. They may be small or big, good or bad, but there are always consequences for what you do (even good things you do). Yes, it would be great if sitting kids down for a serious discussion worked all the time, but so many parents don't even do that.

There's often a fine line between discipline and abuse, but there IS a line.

You gotta be kidding me!?!?? First, Browneyes was not siding with the bus driver on this.

Second a child with Down Syndrome is not like a child without Down Syndrome. They need some distinct discipline and slapping and hitting them is NOT it.

Slapping a child is NEVER right no matter what. NEVER!!!

Slapping a disabled child who does not understand the consequences is even more wrong. It would likely be compared to hitting a 4 year old for telling you "no". You consider that acceptable?!?!?!

 

[GeorgeG]

I just re-read this and I'm wrong about Browneyes. Sorry about that, but my point is, and it may not even apply to this particular situation, is that too many kids are undisciplined. I'm not advocating beating them or injuring them by any stretch, but a swat on the butt may sometimes be necessary. I'm remiss in not fully understanding the situation and for that I apologize.

 

[GeorgeG]

Just a little further thought on the matter...

It probably wouldn't hurt to smack a few fathers around... let's see... my father can lick your father...

 

[Kissimmee JP]

Originally posted by GeorgeG
... let's see... my father can lick your father...

Ok, that's a visual I definately didn't need.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I saw this on GMA yesterday morning. It really bothers me not only that this happened, but this happened to a special needs child who could not communicate what had happened to him. Ironically it was the bus drive complaining about the boy being unruly that prompted the parents to put the recorder in his packback to begin with. Obviously not the sharpest tack in the drawer. He deserves whatever he gets! (I mean the bus driver)

 

[Talking Hands]

Yes. This driver should go to jail. And he should be immediately lose his job driving kids and not allowed to work anywhere in the school system.
As far as the child being afraid of a harness. Sorry. Too bad. Harnesses are needed on some children for there own safety and that of others. Kids who where a harmess are normally those who will not stay in a seat and are unpredictible. Do things like trying to hang out open bus windows. If they do not wear the harness they are not transported via school bus. Parents are given 2 options, accept the use of the harness or transport the child themselves.
Perhaps the child was not afraid of the harness but of the driver. And it seems strange to me that the driver was putting the harness on. Normally our kids have the harness on before they even go to the bus ramp. That is the job of the teachers and aids.