Tuscaloosa School Bus Driver Accused Of Assaulting Special Needs Student With Belt

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A former Tuscaloosa City Schools bus driver has been charged with a felony after video evidence showed him assaulting a special needs student.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department said that during a routine review of bus surveillance footage, Tuscaloosa City Schools Transportation staff observed an incident that occurred at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday involving driver Samuel L. Jones, 74, and a 17-year-old non-verbal student.

The footage reportedly showed Jones stopping the bus and physically assaulting the student by striking her multiple times with his belt and hand as she remained secured in her seat belt.

Transportation staff immediately notified a TPD School Resource Officer upon discovering the incident and police made contact with the victim's mother.

The evidence was then forwarded to TPD's Criminal Investigations Division, with investigators obtaining a warrant that day and taking Jones into custody Friday morning.

TPD said Jones is no longer employed by the school system.

Jones is charged with felony charge of assault/willful abuse of a child and investigators have
found no evidence suggesting other students were harmed.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com