PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – 72-year-old Donald Pride, a bus aide working with the Pemberton Township Public School District has been accused of assaulting a 9-year-old boy.
The incident happened on a bus and an unidentified employee said camera video footage shows the boy grasping for air as Pride grabbed him by the neck with both hands and pushed him into a seat on the bus.
The school district launched an immediate investigation into the incident.
“On Monday, August 1st, Pemberton Township Schools learned of an alleged altercation on a school bus involving a Pemberton Township Schools bus aide,” the district said. “We immediately launched an internal investigation, contacted the appropriate authorities, and placed the employee on administrative leave pending further investigation. Pemberton Township Schools takes allegations of inappropriate staff conduct very seriously and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all our students. As it is a personnel matter, we are prohibited from discussing any further details.”