Bus Monitor Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Special Needs Student
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A school bus monitor is accused of inappropriately touching a girl with special needs.
James Hopkins, 74, worked as a monitor for First Student in the Penn Trafford School District.
Police say on three occasions between February and June of this year, Hopkins is accused of inappropriately touching a 16-year-old girl with Down syndrome. Surveillance video showed that he allegedly asked her to touch him as well.
Police got involved after the bus driver went to the superintendent.
Hopkins was arraigned Thursday on charges including corruption of minors, institutional sexual assault and endangering the welfare of children.
He was released after his family posted $50,000 straight cash bond.
Hopkins is not allowed to have contact with children, but an exception was made to allow him supervised visits with his grandchildren.
First Student says Hopkins passed all federal, state and local background checks when he was hired in 2007.
He was fired in June when the allegations surfaced.
A spokesperson for First Student told KDKA: "The safety and security of students is our core value and a responsibility we take very seriously. We have zero tolerance for any employee who puts others at risk."
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