Students Shocked: School Bus Driver Accused of Attacking Student Before School

A school bus driver in Virginia was arrested for allegedly strangling a student on the way to school. The incident was reported to the police on March 30 at Linkhorne Elementary School in Lynchburg. An investigation revealed that the bus driver assaulted the student while the bus was parked at the school parking lot.

Authorities collaborated with Lynchburg City Schools and confirmed that the student had been strangled but did not sustain life-threatening injuries during the attack. The child is reported to be safe. Effie Wynn, the bus driver, was arrested on April 4 and charged with strangulation and child neglect. She is currently in custody at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

No further details have been disclosed about the incident, including the child's age or the events leading up to the assault. Effie Wynn, 73, has not entered a plea or obtained legal representation at this time. The Lynchburg Police Department is yet to comment on the case.

Investigation Continues

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to contact Officer Tara Scruggs at (434) 485-2652. If found guilty of strangulation, Wynn could face one to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $2,500 under Virginia Law.

Child Neglect Sentencing

The penalties for child neglect in Virginia vary based on the severity of the offense and whether it is charged as a misdemeanor or felony. A misdemeanor child neglect charge could lead to up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Felony child neglect carries harsher penalties, ranging from two to 10 years in prison with fines up to $100,000.

If you suspect child abuse, you can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child for assistance. The hotline is available 24/7 in over 170 languages, offering confidential support to those in need.