A Houston school bus driver is facing 25 years of imprisonment without parole after he was charged with continual sexual abuse of two elementary school girls. Investigators said that the culprit may have more sexual abuse victims.
School Bus Driver Repeatedly Abused The Young Elementary School Girls
ABC 13's Eyewitness News reports that Johnathan Palmares, who was a school bus driver in the 2014-2015 academic year, has been found guilty for sexually abusing two elementary school girls during his period of employment. Investigators said that the culprit was caught on video repeatedly fondling the young girls, ages between 7 and 9.
Daniel Werlinger, Harris County assistant district attorney, disclosed that the former school bus driver's route included Red and Kolter Elementaries before picking up some students at Gross Elementary. While waiting for students from Gross Elementary to come in, Palmares was caught on video sexually abusing the elementary school girls even with other children on board.
The School Bus Driver May Have More Sexual Abuse Victims
"We believe that there are probably are more children involved in this. Unfortunately, when you're dealing with elementary school children they don't necessarily realize they are being sexually abused," Werlinger stated.
According to the Houston Independent School District, Palmares was hired in August 2014 and was fired on May 11, 2015, following sexual abuse allegations. Last summer, he was charged with sexually abusing one elementary school girl and was re-indicted after investigators discovered that the former school bus driver has more than one sexual abuse victims.
Are School Buses Still Safe For Children?
The National Safety Council (NHC) reports that there are almost 25 million students across America who begin and end their day with a school bus ride. The recent crimes, accidents and injuries involving school buses have raised concerns whether the most recommended transportation to school is still safe for children.
NHC has strongly advised parents to let their kids take a school bus as it is the safest ride and best option to get to and from school. It is said to be 13 times safer than riding a family vehicle and 10 times safer that walking.
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