School Bus Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Teen

A Wildwood woman who drove a school bus for Woodland District 50 pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Wednesday to charges she sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, reported the Daily Herald.

Kristin Miks, 32, is charged with criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and indecent solicitation of a child. The victim was not associated with District 50 or Miks’ employment as a bus driver.

Miks was arrested in May by the Lake County Sheriff's Department after the victim’s mother found messages from Miks referring to sexual encounters and reported it to the police, reported Patch.

If convicted, Miks could be imprisoned four to 15 years for criminal sexual assault charge, three to seven years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and two to five years for the indecent solicitation of a child, reported the Lake County News-Sun.

Miks also faces fines up to $25,000 per charge and would have to register as a sex offender for 10 years to life, if convicted.

District 50 was notified in April that Miks, a bus driver of five years, was under investigation for criminal charges and placed her on immediate suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

On May 16, the school board voted to terminate Miks' employment, reported the Daily Herald.

Miks, who has five children, remains free on 10 percent of a $150,000 bond. She is due back in court July 23. The trial has been set for Sept. 16, according to the Lake County News-Sun.