Bus Aide Accused of Beating Autistic Child as Driver Watched and Laughed

Two Florida public school employees have been arrested after authorities say one of them repeatedly hit a child on a school bus while the other watched — and laughed.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, 79-year-old Juanita Wright has been charged with 14 counts of child abuse. The bus driver, 62-year-old Tonya Rice-Constant, was charged with failure to report child abuse.

“This case goes far beyond abuse,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “It reveals a level of cruelty that is deeply disturbing.”

The investigation began after a report was made alleging a school bus aide struck a 10-year-old student while the bus was parked at Caminiti Exceptional School. The school serves students with a wide range of exceptional needs, including autism spectrum disorders and emotional disabilities.

Authorities said the child involved had been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and was minimally verbal.

Four days after the report, detectives reviewed surveillance video from inside the bus that allegedly showed Wright repeatedly abusing the child. Wright was working as the bus monitor, while Rice-Constant was driving the bus at the time.

Investigators say the footage shows Wright striking the boy on the top and back of his head, pulling his hair, and forcefully taking a backpack from him as he sat in his seat. During the incidents, Rice-Constant allegedly looked into her rearview mirror, smiling and laughing instead of intervening.

Further review of video footage uncovered additional incidents. On Dec. 23, detectives identified 13 more days — between Oct. 2 and Nov. 14, 2025 — in which Wright was allegedly seen abusing the same child. Authorities said the investigation remains active.

“A defenseless child was physically abused by someone entrusted with their care, while another adult failed to intervene and instead laughed,” Chronister said. “It is an inexcusable betrayal of trust and a profound lack of humanity.”

Wright reportedly told investigators she was being “jokeful” and “playful” with the child, according to local reports.

The Hillsborough County Public Schools said it was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations. District officials confirmed the bus aide, who was hired in 2012, was removed from duty and later fired once the allegations surfaced. The driver retired from the district in November after the investigation began.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority,” the district said, adding that transportation staff are trained on student care and required to report concerns immediately. The district said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement as the case moves forward.