LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — Three adults face charges after allegedly entering a Lumpkin County school bus and removing children during a disturbance at an apartment complex.
The Sept. 14 incident involved a bus carrying Cottrell Elementary School students on its afternoon route. The substitute driver had about eight years of prior experience but was driving the route for the first time, according to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said students were “yelling, fighting, moving between seats, throwing objects, and refusing to follow instructions” before the bus left school. Administrators boarded several times to help, but the problems continued along the route.
At the first of two stops in the Highland Trace Apartments area, the driver reportedly allowed students assigned to that stop to leave. One student assigned to the second stop also exited but was directed back onto the bus. At that point, officials said adults approached the bus and asked the driver to release more children. The driver explained that the students were assigned to another stop and needed to be seated before the bus could continue.
As more adults gathered and spoke to students through the windows, the behavior aboard the bus “escalated,” the sheriff’s office said.
The driver called for help, and another bus driver arrived. The emergency release was activated to allow that driver aboard. A student saw how the mechanism worked and later used it to open the door, allowing adults to enter and remove children, authorities said.
Driver not charged
Investigators reviewed bus and body-camera footage, witness videos and statements, the driver’s interview and school transportation policies.
The bus remained at the apartment complex for about 14 to 15 minutes before additional school personnel arrived. The evidence “did not substantiate an allegation that the children were intentionally held aboard the bus for approximately 30 minutes,” said Capt. Alan Roach of the sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Investigators also found no evidence that the driver intentionally withheld air conditioning as punishment, turned off the engine at the apartment complex, or ignored “a clearly observable medical emergency.”
The driver said she briefly turned off the air conditioning while climbing a steep hill because it affected the bus’s performance. She said she turned it back on after reaching the top.
“No probable cause was developed to charge the driver with a criminal offense,” Roach said.
Three adults charged
School transportation policies require students to remain seated, follow the driver’s instructions, and leave only at their designated stops unless a change has been authorized. The policies do not allow adults to enter an occupied bus and remove children without the driver’s permission.
“The School system and the Superintendent were consulted and kept abreast of the investigation as it took place and agreed with criminal charges and requested that the criminal charges be taken against anyone found to be in violation of the law,” the sheriff’s office said.
After consulting the Lumpkin County District Attorney’s Office, investigators obtained warrants Sept. 16 for April Michelle Disspain, Tony Ray Chastain and Mariah Quinones.
Disspain is charged with simple battery, disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public school bus, and disorderly conduct. Investigators allege she forced her way into the passenger area, made physical contact with the driver, used profanity, and removed multiple children.
Chastain faces charges of disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public school bus and disorderly conduct. He allegedly entered the bus, yelled and cursed at the driver, demanded that children be released, and helped or encouraged their removal.
Quinones is accused of disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public school bus. Investigators allege she entered the bus and removed her child without authorization. They found no evidence that she threatened or physically contacted the driver.
Investigation continues
The sheriff’s office obtained the complete available bus video through a search warrant served on the school system Sept. 15.
Authorities have subpoenaed additional records to identify the children aboard, confirm their ages and assigned stops, and determine whether anyone other than a legal guardian removed them.
Capt. Roach said the case remains active.
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