Child Duct Taped To Bus Seat, Driver Charged: Delco District Attorney

UPPER DARBY, PA — A Delaware County bus driver has been hit with charges, including three felonies, after authorities said she duct taped a 10-year-old boy to a bus seat earlier this year.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Juliet Pratt, 54, of Clifton Heights, is charged with felony unlawful restraint, felony false imprisonment, felony endangering the welfare of a child, and assault.

On March 8, Upper Darby Police were called to Hillcrest Elementary School in Drexel Hill for the report of a 10-year-old who was assaulted by a bus driver.

The DA's office said video showed Pratt restrained the student with duct tape around his ankles and chest.

The student was sitting on the bus in a district-supplied safety harness and was never trying to get out of his seat or otherwise move around the bus, the DA's office said.

Pratt used a seat belt cutter to remove the tape from the child when she arrived at the school, according to the DA's office.

The Upper Darby School District said it is aware of the incident and is cooperating with police

Pratt is not driving buses for the district at this time, according to district officials.

"Bus drivers are entrusted with enormous responsibility every time they get behind the wheel. In addition to being safe drivers, we also expect them to treat the children in their care with dignity and respect," Stollsteimer said. "Using duct tape on a child who was already fully restrained in the vehicle’s harness was not only inexcusable, it was also dangerous. Had an accident occurred, this child would have been unable to free himself from the tape. There is simply no excuse for this conduct, which is why these charges have been filed."

Pratt was released after posting 10 percent of $25,000 bail and is scheduled to be formally arraigned on June 21, court records show.