Bulloch County, Georgia—A troubling incident on a school bus has sparked multiple charges against several minors and a staff member. The disturbance occurred on April 23 during a routine morning commute to Mattie Lively Elementary School, where a group of students aged 5 to 14 reportedly attacked a 7-year-old boy.
The violent altercation, described by authorities as alarming, involved one child using his feet to stomp on the younger student. Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office Captain Todd Hutchens expressed deep concern for the victim’s safety and the general environment on the bus, emphasizing that such behavior cannot be overlooked.
The school nurse reported that the 7-year-old sustained multiple injuries, including severe bruising. Surveillance cameras on the bus recorded the entire episode, providing crucial evidence for the ensuing investigation.
Authorities charged seven children with battery, remarkably including a 5-year-old. Captain Hutchens noted that even young children possess a sense of right and wrong, adding that judicial outcomes would be determined by the legal system.
Additionally, 70-year-old bus driver Joey Edwin Jackson was arrested and faces charges of second-degree child cruelty and failing to report child abuse. Jackson had been employed by Bulloch County Schools since October 2023.
Bulloch County Schools Superintendent Charles Wilson stated that the district has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and pledged that such behavior would not be tolerated. He mentioned that Jackson’s departure from the district was due to his failure to act as a mandatory reporter in the situation.
Wilson reassured parents that the district is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students. “When your child comes to school, they deserve to be in a safe space where they feel respected and can learn effectively,” Wilson said.
The victim has since returned to school following the incident, while the school district declined to specify the consequences facing the seven other students involved, citing confidentiality under school conduct guidelines. However, they affirmed their commitment to ensuring that appropriate measures will be taken.
In light of these events, the school district is likely to reinforce policies and training regarding bullying and mandatory reporting to prevent incidents like this in the future.