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A school bus aide in the North Penn School District is accused of choking a 6-year-old student, said the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
MacArthur Wilson, a 72-year-old Lansdale resident, is charged with strangulation, attempted simple assault, reckless endangerment, and harassment, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the bus was in Montgomery Township, about one minute away from the 6-year-old boy's stop when the bus driver told Wilson to sit with him on the afternoon of Oct. 16.
A few minutes later, the driver said she saw Wilson "struggling with a seat belt" before placing his hands around the boy's neck for "approximately five to eight seconds," per police.
When the driver told Wilson to stop, the 72-year-old allegedly said that the boy hit him and "he had to teach (the 6-year-old) a lesson," the criminal complaint says. In security footage from the bus, investigators claim Wilson is heard asking the boy "Do you want me to choke you out?" while his hands are placed on the child's neck.
The bus driver reported the incident to her supervisors as soon as she returned to the bus yard, authorities said. The child's parents also called police when their son came home "visibly distressed" and with red marks on his neck, according to the DA's Office.
Wilson surrendered to Montgomery Township police on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond, court records show. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 9.
Update: North Penn School District has released the following statement:
The North Penn School District is aware of the recent article referencing an alarming incident on a school bus. When the alleged act occurred, the bus driver intervened immediately and then reported the matter to NPSD administration. Parents and the authorities were contacted immediately. The bus assistant involved was also contacted that day and he resigned immediately. NPSD’s first priority is the safety of our students. We were extremely alarmed by this incident and immediately involved the authorities due to the nature of the report. We will continue to work with local law enforcement to support the prosecution of this case. Additionally, we continue to support the family and the student involved in this situation.
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