Bus driver did little to stop ‘violent attack’ on 7-year-old, Georgia cops say
A school bus driver is among several people charged in a “violent attack” on a 7-year-old on the way to school, Georgia deputies said.
Joey Edwin Jackson, 70, was arrested on charges of second-degree child cruelty and failure to report child abuse after he was accused of doing little to stop a group of students from assaulting the youngster, according to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
It happened April 18 on a morning bus ride to Mattie Lively Elementary School in Statesboro, deputies said in an April 30 news release.
Seven students, ranging from 5 to 14 years old, have been charged with battery, deputies said. The students were also suspended from their respective schools.
“It was a violent attack on this seven-year-old,” Capt. Todd Hutchens said during a news conference, WSAV reported. “One child came over the seat and basically used his feet to stomp on this” child.
A Bulloch County school resource officer assigned to William James Middle School wasn’t notified about the incident until April 23, authorities said.
The school bus, driven by Jackson, was traveling on Highway 301 North when the 7-year-old was attacked by several other students, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said the incident was caught on the bus camera, leading to the charges.
As the assault unfolded, Hutchens said Jackson didn’t stop or pull over, WTOC reported.
“The bus driver did not call the bus garage to say, ‘hey I got an incident on the bus, please send help,’” Hutchens said, according to the station. “He continued to drive to the school.”
Authorities said the victim wasn’t badly hurt but “did sustain some bruising,” WTOC reported, citing Hutchens.
McClatchy News reached out to the Bulloch County School District for comment May 2 and was awaiting a response.
Jackson was released from jail after posting a $15,000 bond, online records show. The Bulloch County Board of Education said he no longer works for the district.
Statesboro is about a 50-mile drive northwest from downtown Savannah.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Bus driver did little to stop ‘violent attack’ on 7-year-old, Georgia cops say."