Sexual Assault Charges Against Montco Bus Aide Move Forward In Court

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — An aide who worked on a bus for special needs students at the Upper Dublin School District in eastern Montgomery County was ordered held for trial on criminal charges against him that allege he was sexually inappropriate with students on his route.

Kenneth Cannon, 71, must answer to felony and misdemeanor charges against him after Magisterial District Judge Patricia Zaffarano, during an Aug. 12 preliminary hearing, approved the docket to move over to Common Pleas Court, the trial level court in Montgomery County, according to records in the case.

Cannon, of Willow Grove, Pa., was charged last month by prosecutors with being sexual with young children after he had them sit on his lap during bus rides to and from school.

Related: Elementary Bus Aide Victim: Groping Was 'Unwanted' & 'Terrible'

Upper Dublin School District officials previously stated that Cannon was immediately placed on administrative leave after his arrest.

Superintendent of Schools Steve Yanni confirmed to Patch that Cannon remains on an unpaid leave, and he said when the school board's upcoming meeting agenda is released on Saturday it was expected to include "personnel action" on Cannon.

Records from Magisterial District Court show that all but two of the charges lodged against Cannon were held over for trial in Norristown following the recent preliminary hearing.

They were felony counts of corruption of minors, intercourse/sexual contact with students, and criminal attempt-corruption of minors, as well as misdemeanor counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age and endangering the welfare of children.

One felony count of intercourse/sexual contact with student and one misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age were dismissed at the lower court level.

Court records show that Cannon remains free on bail.

A formal arraignment has been scheduled for Sept. 21 at Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.