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Schools
Driver accused of spanking
The school bus driver moves to an office job when he is arrested on a battery charge.
By JOHN FRANK and TOM MARSHALL, Times Staff Writers
Published November 1, 2007
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Christopher O'Brien denied hitting the toddler.
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SPRING HILL - Hernando County school officials yanked a bus driver off the road Wednesday after he was arrested for spanking a 3-year-old girl during a bus stop.
Christopher O'Brien, 47, is charged with one count of battery stemming from an Oct. 5 incident when he reportedly slapped the toddler on the right thigh one time after she refused to get into her seat, according to arrest records.
An older sibling on the bus witnessed the incident and told their mother, who then called the Sheriff's Office, authorities said. It was unclear Wednesday why so much time had elapsed between the incident and the arrest of O'Brien.
A video camera inside the bus captured the scene. Just before hitting the girl, according to the arrest report, O'Brien is heard saying: "You're going to get a spanking right now. Do you understand me?"
During an interview with investigators, O'Brien denied making the statement and hitting the child. He did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
O'Brien's bus, number 22, served J.D. Floyd Elementary, where the girl attended a special educational program.
Superintendent Wayne Alexander said O'Brien's employment status is "under investigation."
"He hasn't been disciplined or suspended," he said. "He's been taken off the bus."
O'Brien has been given temporary office duties pending a predisciplinary hearing scheduled for Monday, school officials said.
School district policies prohibit bus drivers from touching children if they act up, said Barbara Smith, director of transportation.
"No physical contact is encouraged at all," she said. "They can pull over, they can ask for help, they can radio in."
A bus attendant rode with O'Brien the day of the incident.
"The attendant is supposed to be helpful," she said. "But that apparently didn't happen."
John Frank can be reached at jfrank@sptimes.com or 754-6114.
[Last modified October 31, 2007, 20:11:33]
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Comments on this article
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by Josie
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11/01/07 07:31 PM
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If there was an older sibling on the bus, why didn't they help the child get in her seat? There's no excuse for what the bus driver did and he should not be getting paid for it. The 3 yr old child should not be blamed for an impatient adult's temper.
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by brenda
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11/01/07 07:25 PM
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i dont no the facts behind the driver smacking the child but she should have never been on the bus in first place unless it was a special bus for disabled kids.
but if that were my child he touched it would be his last .
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by Tom
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11/01/07 06:59 PM
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This article doesn't say it was seen on video. Learn how to read people. Give him a fair chance with the justice system.
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by Better
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11/01/07 06:23 PM
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Driver has had numerous compliants.Kids had been complaining,bus driver was acting in a theatening manner.Complaints were made nothing was done.He had no right! She is 3.Agree with spanking or not,he had no right.Glad someone is now listening!
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by Dora
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11/01/07 04:59 PM
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As a bus driver myself parents don't have a clue how their kids reslly act. I don't condone the behavior but why is their a 3 year old on the bus in my district they have to be at least 4 to ride a bus.
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by Darrell
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11/01/07 04:48 PM
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"discipline, what's that?"
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by Ethan
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11/01/07 04:21 PM
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What's funny is that the parents who are blamed for not disciplining their kids were raised in the so-called good old days. If they were so good, why aren't these people better parents? Every generation makes the same stupid argument.
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by Brenda
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11/01/07 03:57 PM
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He broke the rules......But the real issue is why did the bus driver lie when there is a video/audio of the incident.And yes the attendant should have stepped in so she should also be reprimanded. IMHO.
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by by me
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11/01/07 03:56 PM
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if he would have hit my son being fired would be the lease of his problems
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by Angie
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11/01/07 12:34 PM
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Why is a 3 year old child with disabilities riding the bus anyway? Where's the parent(s)? Sounds like he "disciplined" her... not a beating!
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by Billy Bob
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11/01/07 11:39 AM
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Maybe if the kid's parents taught the little Brat in the first place all of this nonesense wouldn't be going on now.
It's unbelievable, to me, that crap like this becomes a "news" story.
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by Mike
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11/01/07 11:09 AM
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It's a three year old going to a "special education program." Sorry, I'm all for spanking, but that is not the kid to spank.
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by Evol
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11/01/07 10:42 AM
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Absolutely disgusting. He gets office duty and a paycheck for putting his hands on someone else's child? Pathetic! He should be fired.
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by Tom
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11/01/07 10:29 AM
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What do you expect from Hernando County hill-billies?
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by Amber
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11/01/07 10:29 AM
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what ever happened to the good old days!!I remember getting hit with a ruler,and a paddle with holes in it across my But, that was in school!!I never did it again either.thats whats wrong with society,NO DISCIPLINE!!!!And I turned out fine!!
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by Kim
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11/01/07 10:11 AM
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He hit the kid according to the witnesses and the camera. He lied to police. This is not someone who should be around children.
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by Joan
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11/01/07 10:08 AM
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This guy barely even touched her...people are always ready to persecute others, get off your high horses, and be glad the guy cared enough to correct her obvious outrageous behavior...may be if her mom had done it he would'nt have had to!
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by RMG
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11/01/07 10:04 AM
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I agree with a ruined life! This battery charge went way too far for this incident...fire him if necessary, by school policy, and the bus attendant should be fired as well for getting paid to do nothing.
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by Donna
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11/01/07 09:36 AM
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There is no excuse. he never should have touched that three year old child.what he should have done if there was a serious problem was to radio in and have the parents contacted to go to his location and remove the child off of the school bus.
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by Tom
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11/01/07 09:32 AM
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"Victim", driver, sibling, mother, attendant, sheriff office, school superintendant, camera. Looks like about 8 versions of what happened are already on table. I'd trust the driver's judgement first.
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by Mommy Myself
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11/01/07 09:23 AM
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Better a smack on the thigh than a possible devasting head injury or worse. The bus assistant was obviously not doing their job if the driver had to take action. That's the person who should be in trouble.
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by Debbie
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11/01/07 09:03 AM
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Donna,Sam,Mike u 3 r nuts if u want some stranger to spank ur kids,I have a 8 yr old and she has never been spanked and she is a good little girl,its how they r brought up that makes them good and respectful not the spanking.
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by Donna
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11/01/07 08:46 AM
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This child needed that for her safety. He hit her once - ne did not abuse her. Now he will be puninshed for caring enough to make her mind. Spare the rod spoil the child. Our children are getting worst and worst because they care not be chastised!
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by SamSaid
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11/01/07 08:38 AM
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Kudos to the bus driver! That's what kids need these days is to understand there are consequences to their bratty behavior. I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE DRIVER and feel sorry for all of the other drivers who now have to tolerate horrible kids.
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by bored
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11/01/07 08:02 AM
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He broke the rules.It's not a driver's place to spank.The attendant should have been "on it".The driver should focus on getting the kids to school safely.SSDD in Hernando.Overtaxed and under-staffed.Discipline procedures,not arrest,tho.A ruined life!
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by tpaws
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11/01/07 07:45 AM
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Had the guardian waited to make sure the kids got on the bus safely, this unfortunate scenario may not have taken place.Far be it from this society to ask that a legal guardian be responsible for their child. That man's job is to drive that bus!
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by Granny
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11/01/07 07:31 AM
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I wasnt there so dont know what really happened BUT some kids NEED there butts smacked. My kids are all in thei 40's now and say they learned when they got a fanny smack, not a beating, a smack on the bottom & they are all good, respectful "kids" now
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by Mike
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11/01/07 07:26 AM
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This is some of the problem with our kids today no one can correct them. It seems like the driver gave her a pat and it becomes a big thing. When I was growing up I would have gotten it on the bus and when I got home. But I grew up respecting people.
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