The Washington Post reports that a 39-year-old employee of the Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland was arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse and sexual abuse after school bus video shows him inappropriately touching a child.
The incidents allegedly occurred in November of last year and this past May to students with special needs, court records state. The school bus driver also witnessed the incidents and told investigators that she occasionally saw Michael Paul Patopie kiss one of the children. The Post also reports that in August, a bus attendant and supervisor were suspended pending a full investigation.
Court documents state that the mother of one of the children reported inappropriate touching and that the grandmother of the other child said the child’s pants were “open multiple times when getting off the bus.”
Kevin M. Maxwell, chief executive for Prince George’s County Public Schools, said in a statement Tuesday that he is seeking to fire Patopie immediately, given his arrest.
“I am horrified by the nature of these crimes, sickened and angry that this individual may have preyed upon our students,” Maxwell said in the statement. “We will cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners to ensure that he is held accountable. Our focus remains on providing all children with a quality education in a safe learning environment.”
