A Shenendehowa Central School District bus driver has been placed on administrative leave after authorities accused him of trying to kiss a child he met through his job, reported CBS 6.
According to the news report, Donald Barnes, 49, of Malta, New York, was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Troopers received a tip Aug. 7 alleging that Barnes had inappropriate contact with a child. Investigators later determined that he tried to kiss the child on the mouth.
The incident reportedly occurred in Malta and did not take place on school property. Authorities said Barnes became acquainted with the child through his work as a district bus driver. Police did not release the child’s age or provide additional details about the circumstances of the alleged encounter.
District officials said via the news report that they learned of the arrest Saturday morning and immediately acted under district policies and procedures. Barnes works in a 10-month position and had no scheduled hours during the summer, officials said.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district told local news reporters. “We take any matter involving the safety of our school community extremely seriously and will continue to take all appropriate measures as more information becomes available.”
The district said it could not release further information because the case is an active law enforcement and personnel matter.
“Because this is an active law enforcement and personnel matter, the district is limited in what additional information it can provide at this time,” officials said.
The district pledged to continue cooperating fully with investigators.
Written with the assistance of AI.
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