Broward Bus Driver Accused Of Lewd & Lascivious
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A Broward County School bus driver is accused of inappropriately touching a mentally disabled student and investigators say the student's teacher witnessed the touching and notified school police.
Walter Ramrekha , 57, was arrested on Tuesday.
Investigators say the incident happened at Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach on December 17. Detectives say Ramrekha touched the 14 year old mentally disabled girl inappropriately as she was boarding the bus to go home. A police report says the child's teacher witnessed the incident and reported it to school police.
According to the arrest report, the victim told detectives that "she was in shock when the incident happened and the defendant whispered in her ear that he wanted to have sex with her."
At a court hearing on Wednesday Judge John Hurley made it clear just how serious these allegations are.
"The court is very concerned not only the safety of this alleged victim but it appears that you are transporting children who have mental disabilities and they are in a vulnerable position," Hurley said.
Judge Hurley ordered Ramrekha not to transport children alone if he is released from jail on bond. Ramrekha is being held on $10,000 bond.
In a statement, the Broward County School District said, "Student safety is always the District's priority. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, Mr. Ramrekha was immediately placed on administrative reassignment with no contact with students, pending the outcome of both the criminal and District investigations. "