THE RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE AND STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE INVESTIGATE ASSAULT OF 13 YEAR OLD STUDENT BY FIRST STUDENT BUS MONITOR AND PARENTS BELIEVE BUS DRIVER ASSISTED, "HE HAD BLOOD ON HIS HANDS."

Parents Call For Surveillance Cameras On School Buses, Comprehensive Training For Bus Personnel, And National BCI Checks.

First Student’s operations manager, Francisco Monteiro, stated, "Bus personnel cannot touch a student at all, not even to restrain them."

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), Statewide-First Student Bus, and Transpar Runs Special Needs Buses without Specially Trained Bus Monitors and Aides Because RIDE Wants To Save Money.



Photo by abc6                                                Photo by NBC10

BARRINGTON, R.I.- On October 7, 2013, 13 year old Arizona Jacobowitz, diagnosed with autism, got off a Statewide-First Student School bus at his home in Barrington R.I., sweating profusely, blood above his lip, his face was red, both eyes were blackened, his body was hot,  red marks were on his shoulder, print design from the bus seat was embedded in his face, and he complained of chest pain.

When the school bus arrived at Arizona’s home in Barrington, he was standing at the front door with his head resting against the glass door.  Bus driver, James Miller, opened the door, allowing Arizona to run off the bus, unaccompanied, and sped off without saying anything to Arizona’s parents.  James Caton was a substitute monitor assigned to A.J. for the day, while his regular bus monitor was out. James Caton admitted in police report to having to restrain Arizona due to acting out behaviors.  Arizona’s father, Irwin Jacobowitz, took off after the school bus in an effort to find out what occurred.  Mr. Jacobowitz caught up with Statewide-First Student bus driver, James Miller, who stated, “ I am not driving this F_ _ king animal around anymore, he’s an F-ing animal.  If I have to drive him around, I quit.  This is my last day, I’m not driving that F_ _ king animal.”  Arizona's father noticed that bus driver, James Miller, had blood on his hands.  Miller then sped off towards Warren, R.I. where First Student bus garage is located. 

Arizona’s family took him to the Barrington Police department where Patrolman Gregg F. Koutros took their statement and pictures.  Patrolman Koutros spoke with Francisco Monteiro of First Student Bus Co. who advised him that the incident occurred on the highway while transporting A.J. from his school in Coventry, to his home in Barrington.  Patrolman Koutros advised the Jacobowitz’s that since the incident did not occur in Barrington, they should go to the bus company to make a report and/or go to the State Police. 

A.J.’s family took him to Hasbro hospital in Providence where medical reports confirm broken blood vessels of the face and several contusions.  The doctors at Hasbro filed a report with the State Police.  The Rhode Island State Police informed the family that an eyewitness called into the East Providence Police department to report that she observed what she believed to be a bus monitor restraining a child on a school bus; she was concerned for the child’s wellbeing and requested that the police investigate.  According to the eyewitness, the bus monitor was the aggressor.

According to WPRI Channel 12 in Providence, reporter Kelly Sullivan, confirmed that the incident is currently under investigation with the Attorney General’s office in Providence.    http://www.wpri.com/news/local/east-bay/wpri-state-police-investigating-student-assault-claim-special-needs-student-arizona-jacobowitz-coventry-learning-center-jmq

The Parent’s met with school officials, Statewide: Transpar that manages student transportation for the Rhode Island Department of Education, and First Student Bus Co. on November 8, 2013.  Barrington’s School officials stated that additional specific training was provided to First Student bus drivers and bus monitors on October 17, 2013 by Pathways in Coventry.  School officials stated that she can provide a more comprehensive training for bus driver’s and monitors. 

First Student’s operations manager, Francisco Monteiro, stated that bus personnel cannot touch a student at all, not even to restrain them.  Monteiro stated, “We are defenseless against a child on the bus.”  Mr. Monteiro also stated that bus personnel is not given enough training to work with special needs students, especially children diagnosed with autism; even after the October 17^th training.  Mike Johnson of Statewide: Transpar of remained silent. 

According to abc6.com (WLNE TV) and reporter Liz Tufts, officials at the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) wouldn't comment on camera, but tell us they are taking steps to ensure the safety of children on every bus.  They say the driver has since been taken off the job. http://www.abc6.com/story/24038462/parents-sue-over-alleged-bus-driver-assault

Parents are waiting for Mike Johnson’s response as to whether or not RIDE will approve  surveillance cameras and provide comprehensive training for school bus personnel.  The parents have confirmation by statements taken by police that substitute bus monitor restrained Arizona.  The parents believe that the bus driver, James Miller, assisted the bus monitor due to blood stains on his hands, his angry comments, and speeding off without saying anything about the incident.  The Police have not confirmed bus driver, James Miller's, involvement in the incident as of yet.

The parents are also requesting the suspension of bus driver, James Miller, and two bus monitors, James Canton and Pauline Souza pending the results of the investigation.  Parents have retained attorney.