In a disturbing incident, a Mesa, Arizona woman has been charged with assault after a video captured her assaulting a school bus driver multiple times.
Allegations of Abuse
According to LA News Center, 27-year-old Hermenegilda Marquez was arrested on April 17th and faces felony aggravated assault charges on a school employee.
Incident Details
On April 11th, police were dispatched to W. McKellips Road after reports of an assault on a Mesa Public Schools bus driver. The victim sustained minor injuries.
Surveillance footage released by police shows Marquez entering the bus and confronting the driver. She accuses her of speaking ill of her daughter and begins yelling and cursing at her.
The bus driver instructs Marquez to exit the vehicle, prompting Marquez to swing at her. She then grabs the radio cord and demands that the driver “do something now.”
Witnesses and Children on Board
Multiple parents present at the bus stop observed the incident. While some complained about the bus not stopping at the designated location, Marquez had a more ominous concern.
As shown in the video, Marquez aggressively strikes the driver while questioning her about her daughter.
At the time of the assault, 11 children remained on the bus.
Arrest and Charges
Police identified Marquez as the suspect through an investigation. When confronted with the video, she remained unmoved.
Marquez was swiftly arrested and her boyfriend intervened to physically remove her from the bus. However, she attempted to pull the driver out of her seat by her hair.
Court Proceedings
Marquez was read her Miranda Rights and invoked her right to an attorney. She is scheduled to appear in court for further proceedings.
The school district and community have expressed outrage over the incident, demanding justice for the victim and safety measures for all school bus employees.
