School Bus Driver For Special Needs Children Arrested For Sexual Abuse, Tigard Police say

TIGARD, OR — A 60-year-old school bus driver for special needs children in the Tigard-Tualatin School District was arrested Wednesday for allegedly sexually abusing one of the students who rides his bus, according to Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf.

Hillsboro resident Mario Mendez Ruiz on May 3 was taken to the Washington County Jail on several charges of second degree kidnapping, sexual abuse, and first degree criminal mistreatment. His bail is set at $50,000.

Ruiz was indicted by a Washington County Grand Jury on April 21 after an investigation led by the Tigard Police Department established enough evidence to merit probable cause for an arrest, Wolf told Patch Thursday. The district had placed Ruiz on administrative leave after learning of the sexual abuse allegations, Wolf said.

A female student told school officials in early April that Ruiz had sexually abused her while she was riding his bus, Wolf said, noting the district immediately called Tigard police who then followed up with the victim and her parent.

The ensuing investigation revealed that Ruiz, on two occasions since late March, parked his bus in a neighborhood off the designated bus route after unloading all students except for the victim. Once parked, Wolf said, Ruiz would approach and sexually abuse the victim. On at least one occasion, Ruiz reportedly gave the victim money and told her to keep their friendship a secret.

From the Tigard Police Department:

Police and other child safety professionals have always advocated that parents maintain open dialogues with their children while encouraging them to freely express their feelings or worries without reprisal. These steps are vital in the continuous battle to combat child sex abuse.

Tigard Police cannot overstate their mission to help keep all children safe. Building trust and encouraging communication is what Tigard Police does every day. Parents can learn more about the prevention of child abuse at: http://www.nsvrc.org.

Photo Courtesy: Tigard Police Department