Colorado School Bus Driver Slaps 10-Year-Old Girl for Refusing to Wear a Mask

A Colorado school bus driver, who was caught on video slapping a 10-year-old girl inside the school bus for not wearing her mask properly, has been fired.

A school district spokesperson confirmed with NBC News through an email statement Wednesday that bus driver Bertram Jaquez was immediately placed on administrative leave.

The school district spokesperson added that an internal investigation found that the actions of the Colorado school bus driver "justified termination of employment."

The incident came weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new face mask guidelines concerning fully vaccinated Americans.

Consequences of Colorado School Bus Driver's Actions

Because of Bertram Jaquez's actions, KKTV reported that the Colorado school bus driver faced misdemeanor charges, including child abuse, assault causing injury, and harassment. The outlet further noted that Jaquez's bond was set to $1,000.

New York Daily News reported that in a statement provided by the school district, Jaquez "openly" admitted that he did slap the 10-year-old student once, "out of reaction."

"Our goal every day is to transport students safely to school and back home," the Fremont County School District said in a statement. However, the school district noted that the safety of their students could only happen "when everyone," including the staff and students, will follow the rules.

The school district also expressed anger on the slapping incident, saying that "laying a hand on the child is never okay." Furthermore, the Fremont County School District noted that they are in the process of "identifying the next step" in reinforcing their drivers with strategies that are "designed to support a safe ride" of their students from their home and school.

The Colorado School Bus Driver Slapping the Student

The slapping incident started when a group of children allegedly told the 10-year-old girl sitting at the back of the school bus to wear her face mask.

However, the girl said in a statement acquired by KKTV that she refused because a face mask makes her sick. Bertram Jaquez then entered the scene to check what was happening in the back.

The girl claimed that she told the Colorado school bus driver to "shut up you are not involved in this," and that's when Jaquez slapped her.

A surveillance video revealed that the 10-year-old student shouted, "I don't care." The school bus driver attempted to raise the girl's mask before he slapped the child and pointed his fingers at her. The girl also said that when the driver walked away, that's when she yelled, "let me off the bus."

In a separate written statement also acquired by the KKTV, the Colorado school bus driver said he was trying to explain to the 10-year-old girl why she needed to wear a mask. However, the driver claimed that the girl would not listen and yelled at him, including the other girls in the school bus.

Reports said the incident happened back in early April on a route home in Fremont County.

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