Bus Aide Held Boy's Head Out Window

A bus attendant in Prince George's County has been fired for holding the head of a 6-year-old boy out the window of a moving school bus. Officials say they have video of the incident.

The student, identified only as a special needs child, attends Francis Scott Key Elementary School in the Suitland, Maryland area. There was some kind of discipline problem aboard the bus on the afternoon trip on October 28.

Michael Dodson, Director of Transportation for Prince George's County Public Schools, has viewed the security tape from the bus, and confirms the bus was in motion at the time of the incident. Dodson estimates the child's head and shoulders were held outside of the bus window by the attendant for about seven seconds.

The driver of the bus, upset by what she had seen, contacted her supervisor. Dodson learned of the incident that evening, and says he suspended the attendant from any job requiring contact with students the next morning.

After three weeks' further investigation, the driver was dismissed on Wednesday.

For privacy reasons, school officials declined to identify either the student or the bus attendant, who had worked for the school system for more than three years.

The Transportation Director says drivers and attendants do get training on how to handle students, but, in light of the incident with the Key Elementary 6 year old, he is considering increasing the training.

Officials declined to release the video, saying it was in the hands of attorneys that represent the school district.