Lake Alfred, Florida — A former school bus driver and bus attendant are facing felony aggravated child abuse charges after authorities say they repeatedly sprayed a non-verbal 15-year-old student with industrial disinfectant cleaner while he was riding a school bus.
Polk County deputies arrested 59-year-old Jeffrey Larson and 32-year-old William Roberts following an investigation that began after school officials noticed an increase in behavioral referrals involving the student.
The alleged incidents occurred in late August and earlier this month on a bus serving students at Karen M. Siegel Academy in Lake Alfred.
Bus Cameras Revealed the Alleged Abuse
The investigation reportedly began when the school’s principal reviewed security camera footage from the bus after noticing an unusual increase in behavioral referrals.
According to authorities, the video showed Larson and Roberts spraying the 15-year-old directly in his face, torso and back with a spray bottle containing industrial disinfectant cleaner.
The student is non-verbal and, according to authorities, has the mental capacity of a toddler. The footage also allegedly captured verbal threats directed toward the student during the incidents.
Among the statements recorded on the bus were:
“I’ll put a gag in your mouth if you don’t knock it off,” and “You’re gonna regret this.”
The discovery of the footage prompted school officials to notify law enforcement, leading to the subsequent investigation and arrests.
Attendant Admitted Spraying the Student
During an interview with Polk County deputies, Roberts reportedly acknowledged that he sprayed the student. Authorities said Roberts admitted to spraying the boy in the face as many as five times.
He also reportedly acknowledged that what he did was wrong, particularly because the student was unable to communicate verbally or advocate for himself.
The admission became part of the evidence investigators reviewed as they worked to determine what happened on the bus. Authorities have not publicly established exactly how many times the chemical spray was used overall.
Long-Term Injuries Remain Unclear
One significant question remains unanswered: whether the student suffered any long-term physical injuries from exposure to the industrial cleaner.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether the 15-year-old required medical treatment or experienced lasting effects from being sprayed.
It also remains unclear exactly how many incidents occurred before the principal reviewed the bus surveillance footage.
The available video reportedly captured incidents from late August and earlier in September, but investigators have not indicated whether additional episodes may have occurred outside the footage already reviewed.
School District Says Staff Will No Longer Be Involved
Polk County Public Schools responded to the arrests by making clear that the employees involved will no longer work with the district.
In a statement, the district said:
“PCPS does not tolerate this kind of behavior from our employees, and these two individuals will no longer have any involvement with our district. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
The district’s statement came as the criminal investigation moved forward and the two men faced their initial court appearances.
The allegations have also raised concerns about the treatment and protection of students who may have limited ability to communicate or report what happens to them.
Both Men Held Without Bond
Larson and Roberts appeared in court for their first appearances, where a judge found probable cause for the felony aggravated child abuse charges.
Both men are currently being held without bond pending a scheduled bond hearing Monday. The charges remain allegations, and the criminal proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.
For investigators, the school bus surveillance footage appears to have played a central role in bringing the alleged conduct to light. What began as concerns over increasing behavioral referrals ultimately led school officials to review the recordings and contact authorities.
What are your thoughts on this case and the role of school bus surveillance in uncovering what allegedly happened? Share your reaction in the comments below.
