A father in central Florida is facing multiple charges after being accused of attacking and threatening a Black school bus aide because his son was suspended from riding the bus.
Esdra Burges-Cruz is facing one felony count of battery on a public or private education employee, one felony count of burglary, and a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace.
A video taken by another middle schooler aboard the bus shows Burges-Cruz coming onto the bus without permission, yelling expletives at the school bus aide and driver, and striking the Black school bus aide.
“Shut the f*** up!” yelled Burges-Cruz in the video.
Burges-Cruz then shoved a piece of paper in the aide’s face and said, “This is going to be the last time, last time.”
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He snatches the aide by his lanyard in an attempt to grab him. The incident ended with the 50-year-old father making another violent threat before exiting the bus.
“If I hear something else about my son, you’re gonna see what’s gonna happen,” Burges-Cruz is heard yelling at the bus aide as he gets off the bus.
The incident reportedly took place on May 2, and the next day a student reported it to a school resource officer at Ocala-area Lake Weir Middle School.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after reviewing the video footage. They located Burges-Cruz, questioned him, and then arrested him on probable cause for battery, according to Fox 35 News.
Burges-Cruz told police he had permission to come aboard the bus and denied striking anyone.
According to Education Week, since students have returned to in-person learning post-pandemic, there has been a significant rise in behavioral issues. A survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center in 2022 showed that more than 4 of every 10…
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