PG County School Bus Aide Charged With Molesting 2 Children: Report

CLINTON, MD — Police have charged a school bus aide with molesting children on a Prince George's County Public Schools bus.

The man will face second-degree child abuse and other sex offenses for allegedly molesting two students on the bus who attend James Ryder Randall Elementary School in Clinton, which happened earlier this year. Reports indicate his name is Michael Patopie, 38, of Capitol Heights

"Prince George’s County Public Schools is aware of the arrest Tuesday of a transportation attendant,"PGCPS CEO Kevin Maxwell said in a statement. "We are moving to immediately seek his termination. I am horrified by the nature of these crimes, sickened and angry that this individual may have preyed upon our students. We will cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners to ensure that he is held accountable. Our focus remains on providing all children with a quality education in a safe learning environment."

Prince George's County Police eventually got involved weeks after the incident was reported to Child Protective Services in May. Parents were frustrated at the school's slowness in dealing with the incident. Maxwell claimed he didn't even find out until August, according to reports.

The school system has been plagued by problems, including allegations of abuse and humiliation of students and the loss of millions of dollars of Head Start funding.

Image via PGCPS