A shocking incident involving a 68-year-old school bus driver in Oklahoma has led to his arrest on charges of child abuse and kidnapping. Thomas Young, a former employee of Broken Arrow Public Schools, lost his job following the incident on October 13. The school district stated that Young had been employed for about a year and there had been no previous complaints about his behavior.
The incident, captured on surveillance footage, shows Young attempting to control a bus full of middle school students who were clamoring in the background. He can be heard asking the students to be quiet and refusing to move until they complied. Frustrated, Young eventually parked the bus and refused to let the students leave, despite their pleas and the presence of their parents outside the bus.
The situation escalated as some students started screaming, crying, and attempting to escape through emergency exits. Witnesses reported that children were jumping out of the bus while it was still moving, leading to the child abuse charge. Police ultimately confronted Young when he pulled into a parking lot.
Authorities have expressed concern over Young’s actions, stating that he held the students against their will and endangered their safety. However, criminal defense attorney Tommy Adler pointed out that the chaotic situation on the bus doesn’t necessarily mean that Young had to let a child off immediately.
Broken Arrow schools spokesperson Tara Thompson emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety and stated that they could not tolerate the endangerment of children. Young’s charges may face legal scrutiny due to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Thomas Young is currently in custody at Tulsa County Jail, with bail set at $60,000. It is unclear whether he has legal representation or when his court appearance will take place.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are not endorsed by Fox News or its affiliates. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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