A 15-year-old Indiana boy has been charged with raping a 7-year-old boy on a school bus earlier this month.
The boy was initially detained a day after the April 16 incident, which reportedly transpired on a Jennings County school bus for students with disabilities. WTHR reported that the assault was captured on the bus’ security cameras, and investigators are reviewing previous footage to determine if there were any other incidents.
The teen boy was held on a preliminary charge of rape. WISH reported that he was ultimately placed in secure detention.
The 15-year-old has not been publicly identified, presumably due to his age. Meanwhile, sources told WXIN that he was riding on the special needs bus due to behavioral issues.
“The family is devastated and shocked by the news and calls upon law enforcement and the school to further investigate. So not only can they find out how this horrible series of assaults could possibly happen, but help raise awareness to prevent another innocent child from being victimized,” the victim’s family told WXIN.
The Jennings County School Corporation said that their buses have various security measures, including increased adult supervision, a recorded monitoring system, and fewer students on buses. In light of the April 16 incident, school officials said students will be seated with similarly aged peers, and additional adult supervision will be provided on buses where students must sit in pairs.
An investigation is ongoing.
[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
