School Bus Driver Accused Of Molesting Children Faces New Charges

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park school bus driver accused of sexually abusing children on his bus route faces new charges that he inappropriately touched two more children. Arnold Monteclar, 57, of Monee, appeared before Cook County John Mahoney on misdemeanor battery charges.

The new charges come after police interviewed more children at Meadow Ridge Elementary School in Orland Park. Monteclar was an employee of the American School Bus Co. assigned to Orland School Dist. 135. The school bus driver was arrested June 20 after the school principal alerted police of the allegations made against Monteclar. Orland Park police interviewed several students ranging in age from 7 to 11. Investigators said they determined Monteclar had sexually abused five boys between March and May, where he is said to have fondled the boys above their clothing. Monteclar was charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

According to the latest charges, Monteclar touched a boy on his shoulders when he boarded and deboarded the bus. The prosecutor said that Monteclar told the boy "I love you" multiple times. Monteclar is also accused of touching another boy on his lower back just above the buttocks. Both incidents happened on May 28.

The judge expressed his displeasure that the new allegations were charged as misdemeanors instead of felonies. Mahoney had set Monteclar's bail at $1 million, when the school bus driver first appeared before him in June for a bond hearing. Mahoney referred to Monteclar as a "serial child molestor" when setting bail.

>>> Orland School Bus Driver Accused Of Sexually Abusing Kids On Bus

Monteclar's misdemeanor bond hearing was postponed until Aug. 21 because his attorney was not in the Bridgeview Courthouse building. He did not wish to proceed without his attorney.

Monteclar was placed on suspension by the school bus company and removed from his route. He is currently being detained in Cook County Jail as he awaits trial. Monteclar's next felony hearing is set for Sept. 4.