Teen charged with slapping 5-year-old on school bus

BAMBERG, S.C. – Authorities say a 17-year-old is charged with misdemeanour assault after he used someone else’s hand to slap a 5-year-old girl on a school bus in rural South Carolina.

News media outlets cite an arrest warrant as saying there is a video of the slap, which allegedly happened last month in Bamberg County.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg (http://bit.ly/2bQgWTS) quotes Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting as saying the girl was apparently struck on the right side of her head. A photo posted by the girl’s family shows a handprint on her left cheek.

The girl’s family says she’s now afraid to ride the bus.

Officials say the girl and the teen were riding on the same bus because the 1,400-student district doesn’t have enough vehicles.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.