A juvenile was recently arrested in Eatonton for molesting a child on a school bus, according to authorities.
The 15-year-old’s name was not released because he is a juvenile, but he was charged with child molestation and disrupting public schools, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said.
Cardwell explained that both the offender and the victim were fully clothed throughout the act, but Georgia law does not require skin-to-skin contact for the charge. He said other children were riding on the bus at the time, but they were seated toward the front of the bus and the incident took place in the back of the bus.
The victim, who is younger than 10, reported the incident to teachers upon arrival at school, and school administrators took action immediately by calling authorities as well as the parents of those involved, Cardwell said.
Each bus in Putnam County schools is equipped with a video camera, and the video footage substantiated the victim’s statements, the police chief added.
The Department of Juvenile Justice authorities were notified; they did not take the suspect into custody but instead released him to his parents.