COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- Peggy Jordan, who worked as bus aide for special needs students in Colonial Heights, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery. Jordan, 56, allegedly hit two children while they rode the school bus Monday. For some parents of special needs children, the news was hard to comprehend.
"This is my worst nightmare and I never thought it would come true, but it's coming true now," the mother of the seven-year-old victim said.
The mother spoke with CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil on the condition of anonymity. The mother said her son is nonverbal and on the extreme end of the autism spectrum.
"It is a very difficult situation when you have a child, whether he's special needs or not, that cannot tell you when someone has violated them,” she explained.
The child's mother said that she received a call from the school system on Monday stating that her son had reportedly been slapped on the arm.
"It was reported a bus aide had allegedly hit one or more students," Haidee Napier, with Colonial Heights Public Schools, said.
"I would have never thought in a million years that this could have occurred, especially from her,” the child’s mother said.
Parents of special needs children are concerned about the allegations.
"As a parent of a child that does not speak, it's very scary,” said Lisa Shipman.
Advocates for children with special needs have advice for parents.
"I'd tell them to file a police report and also take their own pictures if there's any visible marks or bruises on their child,” said Tara Sample with This Ability For Children.
Some parents said they would like the district to take additional measures to ensure this does not happen again.
“I'd also look at camera systems not only just to protect the children but protect the bus driver and the aides,” the victim’s mother said.
The seven-year-old student’s mother credited the school system and police for the quick arrest. Jordan has been released on a $2500 bond.
