School Bus Monitor Arrested After Assaulting 12-Year-Old Student On Way Home From School: Sheriff

MAHOPAC, NY — An assault on a school bus has led to charges against the person charged with keeping students safe on their way home from school, according to authorities.

Sheriff Brian Hess said 65-year-old Magalie Speranza, of Yorktown, a bus monitor, was arrested following an incident involving a 12-year-old student aboard a Mahopac Central School District bus on Friday, Oct 2.

Mahopac Central School District officials were alerted to the incident late in the afternoon on Oct. 6. The following day, the incident was referred to the sheriff's office, and district officials provided video surveillance from the bus. Investigators say that Speranza physically assaulted the student while the bus was in motion, causing minor injuries.

Three other students were present on the bus at the time.

Speranza was arrested on Oct. 8, and charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child (four counts), and second-degree harassment.

Speranza was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Justice Court, where an order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, according to police.