Bus driver accused of sex abuse of special needs students
HAINES CITY, Fla. --A 72-year-old Florida school bus driver was arrested Thursday on allegations that he sexually abusing students,reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Carlos Ojeda, of Haines City, was arrested on eight counts of sexual battery. Polk County sheriff's detectives said Ojeda sexually battered special-needs students under the age of 12 years old, while on his school bus.
Deputies said a student at Horizons Elementary School in Davenport told his school counselor on Wednesday that he saw Ojeda place his hands down two different girls' pants on several occasions on the school bus.
A review of the school bus video surveillance system shows Ojeda on April 8, 11 and 12 standing in the stairwell of the bus while it is parked at the school, motioning to the victim to approach him while showing her a piece of candy, authorities said. Deputies said during each occasion Ojeda would pull the girl toward him, sexually batter her out of the sight of the other students and give her candy.
"There are no words to describe the depravity displayed by this suspect," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "He drives a school bus, where he has access to these precious children."."
Ojeda allegedly admitted to detectives that he sexually battered the two girls eight times, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Ojeda was booked into the Polk County Jail and was being held without bond.
Judd said when Ojeda was arrested, he had candy in his pocket.