Colorado paraprofessional arrested, accused of assaulting student with disabilities

A paraprofessional with Littleton Public Schools has been arrested, and accused of assaulting a student with a disability. Kiarra Jones is facing charges of crimes against at-risk juvenile- third-degree assault and crimes against at-risk juvenile- injury.

Jones, 28, worked as a bus aide for children who have severe autism and non-verbal communication and were shuttled on the bus between home and the Joshua School. 

Video from March 18 appears to show Jones striking, punching and stomping on a 10-year-old boy. 

Three families have retained attorneys for the alleged mistreatment of their children by the bus aide. 

According to claims from the family attorneys, each family saw significant shifts in their child's behavior in about September 2023. The families, speaking through their attorneys, also noticed physical injuries on their children, including unexplained scratches, bruises, a lost tooth, broken toe, black eye, and other bruises on their bodies and feet. 

Surveillance video from the bus, released as part of the arrest affidavit for Jones, appears to show Jones hitting one student in the mouth with a closed fist, elbowing the student in the abdomen and stomping on the student's foot. 

Jones was arrested on April 4 after the incident was reported to the Englewood Police Department by the Littleton Police Department on March 28. 

The Englewood Police Department continues to review video content to ensure all victims and crimes have been identified. 

Jones was fired from Littleton Public Schools on March 19, the day LPS said the concerns were brought to their attention. She had worked for the school district since August 2023.

Jones is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Arapahoe County Court on May 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Littleton Public Schools sent this letter to families most likely to be impacted by the alleged incident: 

Dear families of LPS students who ride bus L76 to the Joshua School:

Around 11 a.m. today, we were informed that the Englewood Police Department arrested Kiarra Jones last night on a warrant for Crimes Against At-Risk Adult/Juvenile - Third Degree Assault (Class 6 Felony). You recall that Ms. Jones used to serve as the paraprofessional on the Littleton Public Schools bus your children ride to the Joshua School. 

LPS learned that a parent observed injuries to their child after being transported home on March 19, 2024. LPS immediately conducted an initial investigation, met with the family involved and notified law enforcement, who we understand has been actively investigating the matter since that day. Ms. Jones' employment with LPS was also terminated on March 19, the day these concerns were brought to our attention. We learned this morning from law enforcement that there may be an additional victim.

Ms. Jones was hired by LPS in August 2023 after satisfactory reference checks and after passing a thorough background check. She had very limited access to students during her employment with LPS. She has had no contact with students since March 19, the day her employment was terminated.

This kind of behavior cannot be and is not tolerated.  As parents, you trust us with the well-being of your children and you should never have to worry about them being harmed when they are in our care.  

If you have additional information or questions regarding this case, please contact the Englewood Police Department, 303-761-7410. This is an ongoing police investigation, and LPS continues to fully cooperate.  There is nothing more important to us than the safety and well-being of your children.

Todd Lambert

Superintendent