Polk School Bus Attendant Accused Of Abusing Disabled Students

LAKELAND, FL — A Polk County school bus attendant has been accused of abusing three disabled children and three disabled adults. Forty-three-year-old Juanita Tappin was charged Thursday with three counts of child abuse and three counts of abuse of a disabled adult, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The agency's Carrie Horstman said the alleged abuse occurred while the victims were riding the bus to school.

"The investigation began after a special needs child who rides the bus to Doris A. Sanders Learning Center reported to school staff that she had been hit by her bus attendant," Horstman explained. "The school nurse documented two red welts on the victim's face."

Horstman said most of the students who ride the bus are non-verbal and unable to elaborate on the incidents.

"Detectives interviewed the victim and reviewed the bus video, which revealed Tappin striking the victim 11 separate times by popping her with a rubber band and hitting her on her face and neck," said Horstman.

Horstman said some of the students were also strapped into their seats with harnesses and unable to physically move away.

"While reviewing the video, detectives also saw Tappin punch other victims, strike other victims with a hard plastic seat belt cutter tool and strike victims with a rubber band by snapping it on their faces and necks." Horstman explained.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the incidents as "reprehensible abuse" against the most vulnerable types of victims.

"In the video, the innocent children can be seen cowering in fear," said Judd. "She should never have access to children again."

Horstman said Tappin denied hitting the students and described her interactions with them as interacting in a "playful manner."

She said the incidents did not appear to be disciplinary in nature.

"All of the abuse was intentional, malicious and unprovoked," said Horstman.

Tappin of Ridgeglen Circle East in Lakeland was scheduled to make her first appearance before a judge at 1 p.m. Friday. She was being held at Central County Jail in Bartow.

Polk County Public Schools placed Tappin on paid administrative leave from $13,856-a-year position. She has been with the school district since January of 2014 with no record of past disciplinary action in her personnel file, according to school officials.

"We count on our transportation staff to be courteous, professional and caring," said district Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, who called the allegations "very" troubling. "Our students deserve peaceful rides free of aggravation and unkindness."

Byrd said she will recommend that Tappin be fired if the allegations are found to be true.

"We are conducting an internal investigation and the employee has been placed on administrative leave," Byrd added.