James Willie Jones Stormed Fla. School Bus to Defend Disabled Daughter, Gets Arrested

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Frame of security camera footage (WKMG)

ORLANDO (CBS/WKMG/AP) A Florida father who stormed onto a school bus and threatened children because his 13-year-old disabled daughter had been bullied is apologizing for the way he handled the situation.

James Willie Jones told The Associated Press on Monday he is sorry for his "inappropriate use of language" and for the way he handled the situation. But he says his daughter suffers from cerebral palsy and he could not stand by and watch her suffer.

He was charged last week with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for the Sept. 3 incident in Sanford, just north of Orlando. He later posted $2,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from the driver and county school buses.

In his rage, Jones threatened to harm both students and the bus driver in an expletive-laced tirade, as reported by CBS affiliate WKMG . In apologizing, he said "my actions were definitely appalling."

Nevertheless, there is evidence of understanding for the "dad who lost it." Morgan Ryder, who lives in Vancouver, Wash., said she can relate to Jones, so she started a Facebook group to support him.

"My biggest fear is something happening to her (Jones' daughter). Kids can be cruel," Ryder told the station.

Ryder said the group had 50 friends on Friday, but it gained steam over the weekend and now has 1,300 supporters of Jones. Supporters have also been calling the district attorney's office, demanding that charges against Jones be dropped.

"This is something that happens all over the nation. We have children committing suicide because of bullying, and that's unacceptable. We need to put a stop to it," Ryder said. "I would go to the school and do the same thing Mr. Jones did. (I would do) anything to protect my child."

Jones plans to hold a news conference with his attorney Tuesday to answer questions about his arrested.

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by SL66 November 9, 2010 8:32 PM EST: I don't blame the man at all. I would back him up. You did the right thing Jones and you got the support of this Texan.; Reply to this comment


by rexosa November 9, 2010 3:11 PM EST: I would have followed those kids home and kicked the hell out of their parents in front of them. James protected his daughter from animals that should be teated as such. The system is a joke and so is the judge who penalized him. Let's do this to your daughter.; Reply to this comment


by dm216 September 29, 2010 3:22 PM EDT: I felt compelled to make a comment regarding this issue. Being a victim of bullies all growing up, I've seen and felt firsthand how things can get out of control when no one puts a stop to it. Forget support from the school staff...I was always shrugged off. I commend this man for his actions, whether he went a bit overboard or not, he still stood up and took action against the unacceptable behavior. Someone needs to give the bullies a wakeup call when their parents don't. I grew up with a mom always at work and my elderly grandmother. The kids weren't afraid of them. If anything it made me more of a target. I wish I had a father living with us at that time to stand up for me. Without the help of my strong core group of friends whom I still have today, I would've never made it through...; Reply to this comment


by newsfromlee September 24, 2010 10:13 AM EDT: When this story broke initially, either CBS or NBC interviewed a psychologist on their morning show who was described as an expert on bullying. The advice given indicated that she had NO understanding that this child was a special needs student...and, displayed little indication that she was an "expert" in the area of bullying.

As a means of the network's misinformation associated with this interview, I suggest that the morning show do an interview with an attorney versed in laws relating to the needs of special needs children. Had Mr. Jones made a written request to the school district for an IEP meeting to discuss his daughter's situation, the district would have been compelled to respond within a specific amount of time to hold such a meeting and provide any services that might be required to support the student. An aide for this student on the bus is the most logical response that the school district could make. If the school district refused to do so, the parent could exercise his appeal rights, which include the right to sue the school district for redress.

Given Mr. Jones' actions, it is highly possible that he did not know the legal rights afforded to his daughter in this situation nor did the school district know that they had a legal responsibility to inform him of his rights. At any rate, I think CBS would be doing ALL special students a service by doing a feature on this issue.

PS. If CBS was the network that interviewed this "expert on bullying", would you please supply her name. She needs to be investigated by the licensing board in her state and I would be more than happy to facilitate that investigation.; Reply to this comment

by KarenHowse September 22, 2010 11:09 AM EDT

I am the mother of a 29-year-old Down Syndrome man. I have lived with prejudice for 29 years. I know that much of it is "fear of the unknown." My son is a great young man who is not on public aid and has a full-time job as a janitor. If someone takes the time to speak with him, they are usually pleasantly surprised. My husband and I have pastored the same church for 28 years, and for most of Jonathan's life he has been treated wonderfully. But usually the mistreatment comes from kids and/or teenagers. So I agree that the education regarding the treatment of special needs people should come from the home. If the parents have a problems with a handicapped person, the children will also have a problem.

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by KarenHowse September 22, 2010 11:11 AM EDT: I forgot to say that this father is a hero to me. My husband and I have had to be advocates for our son his entire life. Just as the heartbreak of a handicapped child never leaves, neither does the necessity that we, as parents, act as advocates for our children.


by helen-woods September 22, 2010 9:07 AM EDT: I am a criminal justice major. My name is Helen Woods. In a situation as this,If the school bus driver does not stop this behaviour tahn someone needs to. The child is disabled first of all, now she has to deal with people picking on her. Any student who picks on children who are disabled, need to be suspended off the bus as well as school. The person being picked on will have many psychological issues within themselves due to this. The bus driver,the teachers nor the priciples did anything to the students who were picking on the child. The teachers, the bus driver and the priciples should be punished as well. I think the father had all rights to defend his disabled child, when the proper authority figure on the bus did not do his/her job. If i was the parent i would look into pressing charges on the bus driver and pricinples for not doing their job. The school needs to accomidate the father and child with a handicap bus. Kids who get picked on sometimes committ suicide, because of bullying.This man should not be any trouble at all. If the proper steps were taken in this situation than this would have never happened. This is the bus drivers fault and the teachers and priciples for not handling the situation.
Sincerely,
Helen Woods; Reply to this comment


by PandoraFiles September 21, 2010 7:11 PM EDT: If this father doesn't stand up for his daughter, obviously, nobody else will. What jury will condemn him for doing what is expected of a parent.

The verbal threat of violence was going a little bit too far. I have found that implied violence would have been much more effective. If these children, their parents, teachers and administrators have to look over their shoulders everywhere they go, the point would have been made more effectively without any laws violated. Accidents happen when you are expecting them.; Reply to this comment


by jnostromo September 21, 2010 10:05 AM EDT: School administrations , teachers , parents and kids need to be held accountable for their actions and inactions regarding bullying. Zero tolerance policies need to be adopted in every school system across the country...Our school district adopted a zerol tolerance policy over a year ago, and there has been only one incident and that was went it first went into effect. Parents need to do parenting and teach their children values and respect for others, and when they don't they should be responsible for the actions of their kids.; Reply to this comment