Former Bus Driver, Bus Aides Abused Student With Autism: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A former bus driver and two bus aides were charged with abusing a child with autism while transporting the child to and from school, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini announced on Tuesday.

Auga Roberts, 68, of Coram, and Anneris Contreras, 56, of Bay Shore, were employed as bus aides and James LaGreca, 81, of Medford, was employed as a bus driver for East End Bus Lines, Inc., located in Medford, the DA said.

All three were responsible for transporting the victim, a child with autism who is non-verbal, to and from school at Masera Learning Center on 650 Udall Road in West Islip, the DA said.

According to Sini, on multiple occasions in October 2018, Roberts, in the presence of both Contreras and LaGreca, kicked the child and on one occasion she bent the child’s toes backward, causing the child to cry out in pain.

In addition, Roberts and Contreras used the victim’s own hand to slap the victim in the face on several occasions, according to the DA.

On one occasion, the victim removed a shoe and threw it at LaGreca. LeGreca then picked up the shoe and threw it at the victim, the DA said.

The incidents were captured on surveillance video inside the school bus, according to the DA.

All three have been terminated from their employment with East End Bus Lines, Inc.

Roberts is charged with seven counts of first degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

Contreras is charged with four counts of first degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

LaGreca is charged with two counts of first degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

If convicted, all three face a maximum sentence of one and one-third to four years in prison for each charge, which could run consecutively

"Any abuse of a child is reprehensible, but to abuse a child with severe disabilities – a child who is unable to speak up about that abuse – is beyond depraved," Sini said. "These individuals were entrusted to care for the victim and provide him with a safe ride to and from school, but instead they subjected him to cruelty, ridicule, and physical abuse."

All three were arraigned on the indictment Tuesday by Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei and were all released on their own recognizance.

Roberts and LaGreca are due back in court on March 27. Contreras is due back in court on March 25.