LAKE ALFRED, FL — Horrible details have emerged in the arrests of a Polk County school bus driver and attendant after investigators say a 15-year-old intellectually disabled student was repeatedly sprayed in the face and body with disinfectant cleaner, including incidents allegedly intended to “teach him a lesson.”
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the student attends Karen M. Siegel Academy in Lake Alfred and functions at approximately a toddler level.
The investigation began Sept. 22 after Principal Maggie Reynolds noticed an increase in student behavior referrals involving Bus #1611 and requested video footage from the Polk County School Board.
Investigators said video from Aug. 31 showed bus driver Jeffrey Larson, 65, spraying a liquid directly in front of the student before spraying his face, torso and legs. A second clip allegedly showed Larson walking over to the student and spraying him in the face and across the front of his body while saying, “stop spitting.”
A separate incident was captured on Sept. 2, according to the report. Investigators said bus attendant William “Cody” Roberts, 32, was sitting toward the back of the bus while the student was secured in his seat. Roberts allegedly pulled out a spray bottle and sprayed the student on the back.
During an interview with investigators, Roberts reportedly admitted spraying the student in the face with disinfectant cleaner no more than five times to “teach him a lesson.” He also told investigators he witnessed Larson spray the student in the face with disinfectant on two occasions for the same stated reason.
Roberts reportedly acknowledged their actions were wrong because the disinfectant was an irritant that could negatively affect the student’s health and because the student could not speak for himself.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the bus and recovered a bottle labeled “Morning Fresh, Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner.” The product label warned that it should be kept out of reach of children and could cause eye and skin irritation.
The Sheriff’s Office determined there was probable cause to charge both Larson and Roberts with aggravated child abuse. Both were arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center without incident.
Polk County Public Schools said Wednesday that Larson and Roberts would no longer have any involvement with the district and that the school system is cooperating with law enforcement.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
