A shocking case from Florida has raised serious questions about child safety and responsibility inside school transport systems. Two public school employees have been arrested after authorities say a child with special needs was repeatedly abused on a school bus, while another adult present allegedly laughed and failed to report the behaviour.
What Happened on the School Bus
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies launched a child abuse investigation after receiving a report that a school bus aide had struck a 10-year-old boy while on a bus parked at Caminiti Exceptional School.
The child attends a school under Hillsborough County Public Schools, which serves students with a wide range of exceptional needs. Authorities said the boy involved in this case has autism and ADHD and is minimally verbal, making him especially vulnerable.
Arrests and Charges Filed
Following the investigation, deputies arrested two women connected to the incident. Juanita Wright, 79, who worked as a school bus monitor, has been charged with 14 counts of child abuse. The bus driver, Tonya Rice-Constant, 62, has been charged with failure to report child abuse.
Sheriff Chad Chronister described the case as deeply disturbing, saying it went far beyond ordinary abuse and showed a serious level of cruelty.
Video Footage Reveals Ongoing Abuse
Four days after the initial report, detectives reviewed surveillance video from inside the school bus. According to authorities, the footage showed Wright repeatedly abusing the child. In the video, she can be seen hitting the boy on the top and back of his head, pulling his hair, and forcefully taking his backpack.
Even more troubling, investigators said Rice-Constant, the bus driver, was visible in the footage looking into the rearview mirror, smiling, and laughing during the abuse instead of stepping in or reporting it.
Abuse Happened Over Multiple Days
The case became more serious when investigators reviewed additional footage. On December 23, detectives found videos showing similar abuse on 13 more days between October 2, 2025, and November 14, 2025. Authorities confirmed that the investigation is still active, and more information may come out as it continues.
Victim’s Condition and Vulnerability
The sheriff’s office highlighted that the child was diagnosed with autism and ADHD and was minimally verbal. This made it harder for him to communicate what was happening and increased his dependence on adults for protection and care.
Law enforcement officials stressed that children with special needs rely heavily on caregivers and school staff, which makes any abuse by trusted adults even more serious.
Strong Words From Law Enforcement
Sheriff Chronister said the actions shown in the video were an inexcusable betrayal of trust. He added that a defenseless child was harmed by someone entrusted with his care, while another adult allowed it to happen and laughed.
He also made it clear that such behaviour would not be tolerated in Hillsborough County and would be met with the full force of the law.
Accused Responds to Allegations
Wright reportedly defended her actions by claiming she was being playful and jokeful with the child, according to WFLA. Authorities, however, said the video evidence clearly showed repeated physical abuse, not playful behaviour.
School District Takes Action
The Hillsborough County School District released a statement saying they were deeply disturbed by the incident. Officials confirmed that Wright was hired in 2012 but was removed from duty in November once allegations came to light and later fired.
The district also said Rice-Constant retired from her position in November when the investigation began. School officials added that student safety is their top priority and that transportation staff are trained to report concerns immediately.
