Crime & Safety

Cops: Bus Driver Exchanged Naked Pictures, Had 'Loving' Relationship With Mahwah Student

The 41-year-old man was arrested at the North Jersey school Thursday.

Police say a school bus driver, who was in charge of transporting a student from her home to a private school in North Jersey, was arrested Thursday after the student said she had a “growing, loving” relationship with the 41-year-old man.

Eddie Toste-Sanchez, of Paterson, was arrested after the 12-year-old told school personnel about her “growing, loving relationship” with Toste-Sanchez of Mahwah and that he had showed her pictures of his genitalia. In return, she showed him naked pictures of herself, Mahwah Police Chief James N. Batelli said.

Toste-Sanchez admitted to the allegations while being interviewed by Mahwah Detectives and a search of their phones revealed “the photographs in question,” Chief Batelli said.

Find out what's happening in Mahwahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The juvenile’s mother had previously voiced her concern to a school therapist regarding the relationship between her daughter and the driver, who were also friends on Facebook.

Toste-Sanchez was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a juvenile less than 13-years-old and endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Find out what's happening in Mahwahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Stay on top of Patch’s local coverage by subscribing to the daily Patch newsletter by clicking on the links below:

Wayne - Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes - Ridgewood-Glen Rock - Mahwah - Paramus - Fort Lee - Montville - Ramsey - New Milford - Teaneck - Hasbrouck Heights - Oakland - Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook - Westwood-Hillsdale - River Dell - Englewood-Englewood Cliffs

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.