A 39-year-old bus aide faces an assault charge for allegedly breaking the arm of a 5-year-old developmentally disabled student while riding on a school bus on Long Island this week.
Police say Richard Mason, an aide for Acme Bus Corp., grabbed the arm of the boy in an effort to discipline him as the bus they were on drove through Commack Monday afternoon.
He twisted the boy's arm behind his back, fracturing the bone.
Mason was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault and acting in a manner to injure a child. He did not speak to reporters after he was released without bail Thursday following his arraignment.
Mason is being represented by Legal Aid, which does not comment on pending cases.
The students on the bus were from North Ridge Elementary School.
The school district said it made sure Mason had been pulled off all district routes once it learned of the allegations, and said he would have no contact with its students.
School officials also said the bus company that employed him, Acme Bus Corp., had assured the district that Mason had been properly screened, trained and had no prior problems on the job.
A message left with Acme Bus Corp. was not immediately returned.
Photo Credit: Handout