Bus Driver Duct-Tapes Kids' Mouths

Cops Say Woman Gave Children Ultimatum: Put On Tape Or Get Written Up For Bad Behavior

(AP)  Greenwood County deputies say they have charged a bus driver with eight counts of cruelty to children after she admitted she taped their mouths shut with duct tape after they misbehaved.

Investigators say 35-year-old Helen Curry told them she gave the children a choice of putting on the tape or being written up for bad behavior.

Deputies say the students were mostly males and ranged in age from 5 to 12 years old.

Authorities say the students reported the incidents after Curry was fired for unrelated reasons. School officials refused to say why Curry lost her job.

Curry has been released on a personal recognizance bond. A phone listing for her could not be found and it wasn't clear if she had an attorney.

[greeneyes222]

I can understand the temptation.

[displeased]

Kids need a little harmless discipline occasionally. But I wouldn''t be surprised if they''re suffering the consequences of being emotionally traumatized and try to sue.

[easeup-2009]

Since when is talking on a school bus against the rules?

That crack-monkey should be put in jail.

[pared1]

I love it!!!! I think every bus driver should carry duct tape. Maybe make it a little more friendly by using pink and blue tape. LOL

Also I reserve the right to duct tape those whining kids in the super market and mall (and their parents who ignore their tantrums)

[displeased]

Since when is talking on a school bus against the rules?
Posted by easeup

Since when is talking considered bad behavior? There had to be something going on other than talking. Oh that''s right, all kids are perfect little angels. This bus driver MUST be nuts.

[toolmangler-2009]

She gave the ''Kids'' the option, what did she do wrong? they put the tape on them selves. I doubt that talking is all the Kids did, there is more to it than meets the eye.

[easeup-2009]

"Since when is talking considered bad behavior? There had to be something going on other than talking. Oh that''''s right, all kids are perfect little angels. This bus driver MUST be nuts.

Posted by Displeased at 10:50 AM : Feb 22, 2008"

I GUARANTEE you if your child came home with duct tape on his/her mouth from THAT bus driver you''d have steam coming out of your ears.

I''m going to venture a guess that most of the people sticking up for the bus driver don''t have kids. In fact, I''d bet on it.

[displeased]

I''''m going to venture a guess that most of the people sticking up for the bus driver don''''t have kids. In fact, I''''d bet on it.
Posted by easeup

You''re correct (as far me anyway), I don''t have kids. But years ago, I was one of those kids that acted up on the school bus to the point of discipline. Her actions may have been justified, but we won''t know without knowing what exactly constituted their bad behavior.

[paganmama]

This had me ROTFLMAO. I''ve often told friends and family that if I had to work with kids, I would keep a large supply of duct type handy.

BTW: I think Easeup and mrpooleyman should have their hands duct typed together so they don''t post anymore of stupid a**ed comments.

[paganmama]

Oops meant taped not typed

[easeup-2009]

"BTW: I think Easeup and mrpooleyman should have their hands duct typed together so they don''''t post anymore of stupid a**ed comments.

Posted by paganmama at 11:23 AM : Feb 22, 2008"

I KNOW you don''t have kids.....and on behalf of everyone on Earth I would like to say thanks.

[libsrweak]

a lot of kids needs more than a tape..they need a reality check and some good ol fashion whipping.


if you sit there and act like a human being then those options do not have to come in play. what i would suggest for those parents who cannot control thier children in public..tough kaka..take your litter to school next time.

[paganmama]

I KNOW you don''''t have kids.....and on behalf of everyone on Earth I would like to say thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by easeup at

You''re definitely not welcome! I do have a child. But let me just say for myself, (unlike you I''m not so delusional as to think I can speak for Everyone on Earth) Right back at ya;-)

[antizion]

If my kid came home with duct tape on his mouth I would be asking him to explain what he did to deserve that. Hardly child abuse and my son would be making an apology to the driver.

Children misbehaving on a bus are as much a safety issue as stopping and making them get off the bus.

In my opinion, she did the right thing and it is hardly child abuse. Lesser of two evils defense would play nicely in court.

[toolmangler-2009]

I''''m going to venture a guess that most of the people sticking up for the bus driver don''''t have kids. In fact, I''''d bet on it.
Posted by easeup at 11:14 AM : Feb 22, 2008



Open Mouth, insert foot... I have three kid and eight grandkids and also rode a Schoolbus when I was in school, Voluntary duct tape is a very light punishment. when I was in school the "paddle" was used if needed, I never had one scar from it, (I didn''t do whatever it was again to earn another trip to the principals office) and I don''t recall any kid gunning dwn a teacher when I was in school, and I had my own gun at the age of eleven.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by ToolMangler at 11:56 AM : Feb 22, 2008

Ditto!! ;)

[paganmama]

if you sit there and act like a human being then those options do not have to come in play.
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Posted by libsrweak at 11:46 AM

I couldn''t agree more. I had the "pleasure" of chaperoning a field trip last week and I have to tell you there were a number of kids who just wouldn''t stay in there seats or use their "inside voices" even after the bus driver, the teacher and I kept reminding them.
But you want to know the saddest part of the whole thing: The parents of the main offenders were on the bus as well.

[easeup-2009]

"and I had my own gun at the age of eleven.

Posted by ToolMangler at 11:56 AM : Feb 22, 2008

THAT is scary.....

[drivelphobe]

Children behave in a manner consistent with the IQ of their parents. Loud mouth, misbehaved kids are replicas, complete with the lack of social skills, concern for others, and general disgust for anyone but themselves. They should have tape the parents'' mouths closed as an example.

[mswolfestock]

In my day, misbehavior on the bus rarely happened, and it was usually one kid, the one who ended up in Juvenile Hall. Misbehavior on the bus was handled by the principal - the student was usually told to act right or he would be walking to school, and maybe he got a dose of the paddle, too. Most kids back then were raised by involved parents, most kids knew how to act before they ever stepped on a bus. And most kids understood that grownups were in charge, grownups were to be listened to. We were raised to show respect for any and all grownups, too. Unfortunately for bus drivers (and teachers), nowadays kids are not being raised, they are growing into wild animals.

[pared1]

I take exception! I have kids and I have duct tape. Any questions?

FYI check out their sale on Craigs List. LMAO

[erasmus6]

"She gave the ''''Kids'''' the option, what did she do wrong? they put the tape on them selves. I doubt that talking is all the Kids did, there is more to it than meets the eye." posted by ToolMangler

I agree!

[erasmus6]

"...and I had my own gun at the age of eleven." posted by ToolMangler

You know what my thoughts are on THAT subject!

[paganmama]

I take exception! I have kids and I have duct tape. Any questions?
Posted by pared1 at 12:13 PM : Feb 22, 2008
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LOL! I love it!

[erasmus6]

"Bus Driver Duct-Tapes Kids'' Mouths"

The key thing here is that the bus driver did no such thing. The kids were given a CHOICE. The kids CHOSE the duct tape.

[gangesdak]

I cannot find fault with the bus driver. And, I agree, corporal punishment should be brought back to school.

[erasmus6]

AND the kids put it on themselves!

[sassalin]

I assume by most of your ignorant comments that you don''t have children. I CANNOT believe that you people think the bus driver was not at fault. I have a child and if a bus driver gave this choice to my children I would be livid. It''s not her job to choose a punishment for MY child (even if they choose). And it WAS a punishment directed to stop the bad behavior. Although the kids should not have behaved badly the punishment of my child is my job. How can you expect a five year old to make a decision like that? Would it be different if she offered them drugs or beer and they made a choice to take those? She was too lazy to do the paperwork required. She did the wrong thing and should be punished!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pooleyman]

you know what is going to happen next? The ACLU is going to get involved and say that the kids civil liberties were violated with the duct tape, even though they put it on themselves. I see a lawsuit coming. LOL

[ellswore]

Parents need to start riding the school bus to appreciate what a bus driver has to contend with. Most parents would not ride the second time.

It needs to be manditory that each parent rides the bus at least 2 to 3 times a year.

Cameras with audio should also be required. New reality show, better than ''Cops''.

[displeased]

Although the kids should not have behaved badly the punishment of my child is my job.
Posted by sassalin

That''s the problem. Kids know authorities can''t discipline them therefore there is little risk for bad behavior.

[jankebenz]

For all you parents:Give your children an edge in life, teach them manners , respect,and responsibility.They and you, will both benifit.

[bm6005]

I''''m going to venture a guess that most of the people sticking up for the bus driver don''''t have kids. In fact, I''''d bet on it.
Posted by easeup

WRONG & my wife''s a teacher so I guarantee you that kids are out of control because they do not receive any disciplinary attention from their parents. My sons learned to toe the, the line was quite reasonable and they were not abused. Never had any trouble with them either.

[canyoutellme-2009]

I think the bus driver should be COMMENDED. If my child got out of line on the bus, i''d hope his bus driver did the same thing. Think about it, if you have a bunch of rowdy kids on the bus, imagine what kind of SAFETY hazard that is? Continue to distract the bus driver and you can end up with an accident killing everyone onboard... yeah, let''s see how all the parents react if their children were killed because of some other children distracting the bus driver... they''d all be screaming saying how the bus driver should have reprimanded them or something...

[fishinfool43]

Posted by ellswore at 01:01 PM : Feb 22, 2008

AMEN!! I see how kids behave on busses, during school, and at various school functions, and it is horrible.
I sure wouldnt mind seeing cameras and audio on all busses. It would end alot of questions, and parents can see what their "little angels" are really up to.

While they are having those cameras and mics mounted, put some frikkin seat belts in those busses!!!

[fishinfool43]

My kid is 11 and I definitely agree with the driver.
I see how they act INCLUDING mine, when he dont know Dad is watching.

[cbs_oliver]

Duct taping people is always a bad idea - but especially a bad idea when it interferes in any way with breathing.

[cbs_oliver]

It stops being funny when someone dies - which sometimes happens.

[excoachken]

If your exposure to 5-12 year olds is limited to what you see from your kid and his buddies, when they know you are watching, you really know very little about the potty mouth''s potential to be disrespectful. Instead of duct tape, I would give the little charmer a chance to explore the distinctive taste of a bar of Ivory soap. The story doesn''t mention what kind of punishment the children were given by their parents for not behaving. Oh, yeah, because they don''t believe in discipline. Now we have the full picture.

[displeased]

I see how they act INCLUDING mine, when he dont know Dad is watching.
Posted by fishinfool43

A parent realizing and admitting their kid behaves badly. I''m impressed.

[nothappyatall]

I love the idea, DUCT TAPE the buggers mouth shut!!
Better yet, do away with these costly yellow limosines and force the PARENTS who have the kids DRIVE or walk them to school themselves at their own expense.

With diesel being well over $3 a gallon and those massive yellow fuel suckers burning it up at 5 MPG the parents should be footing the bills to move THEIR kids around

[republic1776]

How else will kids learn?
The should have B-slapped them, then duct-tape lol

[toolmangler-2009]

"and I had my own gun at the age of eleven.
Posted by ToolMangler at 11:56 AM : Feb 22, 2008
THAT is scary.....
Posted by easeup at 12:06 PM : Feb 22, 2008



At the age of 8, I plowed the fields with a two horse plow, I chopped wood with a double bladed axe and beheaded the chicken for dinner with the same axe, At the agee of eight I was probably more prepared to be an adult than your kids at the age of twenty, Do not try to tell me about children and discipline. I have forgotten more than you ever knew, and I still know more than you about children and how to raise them.

[inventagod]

This happened to John Ashcroft as a youth and it didn''t affect him...

[jankebenz]

Years ago my son was bared from the school bus for a week because of bad behavior, and I had to drive him to school.We never had a problem again.My father did not hesitate to disipline me, and by disipline I don,t mean No TV for a week ,my behind can attest to that. I followed the same routine for my children ,and we all turned out ok.

[erasmus6]

"I''''m going to venture a guess that most of the people sticking up for the bus driver don''''t have kids. In fact, I''''d bet on it." posted by easeup

Wrong, I have two kids and I can guarantee that they wouldn''t have been acting up on the school bus or anywhere else because I taught them to have manners.

Now if the school bus driver had have herself put the masking tape on their mouths, I might have been upset. But she didn''t, she gave them a choice and they chose the masking tape.

There is a lot of parents today that are completely incompetent and should be held accountable for their children. Maybe if they were, they would wise the hell up.

[locke10]

sassalin:

She did have a right to punish- have you ever heard of in loco parentis. People like you are the reason no one wants to go into education anymore

[paganmama]

Years ago my son was bared from the school bus for a week because of bad behavior, and I had to drive him to school.We never had a problem again.My father did not hesitate to disipline me, and by disipline I don,t mean No TV for a week ,my behind can attest to that. I followed the same routine for my children ,and we all turned out ok.
Posted by jankebenz at 02:42 PM : Feb 22, 2008
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ITA. When I started kindergarten, my mother told me, not to forget my "home training" when I was on the bus, at school or out in public, because chances were there would be someone around who knew her and me and word would definitely get back to her. Of course I thought it was just talk until the day I came home and got a spanking for sassing the lunch lady.

I''ve given my 6 year old the same warning and I make it a point for him to see me talking with the teachers, principal, aides, crossing guards, etc. So he knows I''m not just talking.

BTW, after my experience of being on the bus for the field trip,I know that my kid definitely won''t be riding the bus to school.

[hall9504]

I would have wrapped the kids mouth 3 times around

[gunownerdan]

Blame the duct tape.
If the driver didn''t have any evil assault tape, she would not have been able to tape anything shut at all.
We need to ban duct tape to protect our children!