Sussex Co. school bus aide charged with child abuse

SUSSEX CO., Del. – A Sussex County school bus aide has been charged with child abuse.

The investigation began late last month when the Indian River School District notified Delaware State Police of an incident between a school bus aide and a student. It was discovered that on September 16th, a bus for the Indian River School District Early Learning Center picked up a 4-year-old student at a bus stop near their home. As the student got on the bus, the aide, identified as 80-year-old Priscilla Schoolfield, allegedly pushed the student to the back of the bus, forcefully shoved the student into a seat, and hit the student.

Schoolfield was charged with third degree child abuse on Tuesday and released on her own recognizance.

The Indian River School District released the following statement regarding the incident:

“The individual charged in this incident is employed by a local bus contractor that services the IRSD Early Learning Center. The safety and welfare of all students is the district’s top priority and we cooperated fully with the Delaware State Police investigation of this incident. IRSD cannot comment further at this time, as this is an ongoing investigation.”