Crime & Safety
Bus Company Suspends Driver Investigated for Making Inappropriate Comments to Seneca Valley Student
The 18-year-old bus driver made improper comments to an eighth-grade student, but the remarks did not warrant filing criminal charges, according to Jackson Township police.
A.J. Myers & Sons has suspended a Seneca Valley school bus driver while Jackson Township police investigate comments they say he made to an eighth-grade student.
“The school bus driver was suspended on Monday and will remain suspended until the investigation of the allegations is completed,” said a statement from A.J. Myers, the company Seneca Valley contracts with for bus services.
Jackson Township Police Chief Terry Seilhamer said an investigation concluded Thursday evening found the 18-year-old bus driver made inappropriate but not criminal comments to the student.
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Although there were claims the driver also texted and made improper comments to the student on Facebook, Seilhamer said police found no evidence of any exchange.
No charges have been filed against the driver.
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“We don’t have any evidence whatsoever of criminal activity,” he said.
Seilhamer said the student saw the driver outside school grounds in a social setting during the district’s holiday break in late December and early January.
The driver, who did not have the student on his bus route, then made comments to the student about his life that Seilhamer described as inappropriate for an adult to discuss with a juvenile. The conversation did not include any sort of solicitation, Seilhamer said.
The chief said Seneca Valley became aware of the incident Monday after a fellow student mentioned it to staff at the middle school. The district took immediate action, he said.
“The school and police conducted numerous interviews,” he said.
A.J. Myers said it cooperated with Jackson Police and the school district in the investigation.
“If the allegations are proven to be true by the investigation, the driver will be terminated at the conclusion of the investigation,” the company said.
The bus company said it would not provide any other information because the matter involves personnel.
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