Utica (WSYR-TV) -- A Utica school bus monitor was arrested Wednesday after police say she struck an 11-year-old autistic child.
Utica Police report that 38-year-old Kendra Owens punched, slapped and slammed the child’s head against a closed window after he stood up to stretch and would not sit back down.
Police say the incident happened on a bus outside Utica Proctor High School. The child was not seriously hurt.
There is security footage supporting the child's claim, according to police.
“You can hear him and the monitor get into an argument and she comes forward and she strikes him several times and slams his head up against the window,” explained Utica Police Sgt. Steve Hauk. “When you see an adult attack a child on video, it's just one of those things, I don't think you can ever accept.”
We're told Owens has been terminated from her job as bus monitor.
The Birnie Bus Company, which owns the bus involved, said in a written statement that the monitor had been employed for about a year and passed all background checks and state requirements. They also say they never had any issues with Owens in the past and that they're cooperating with Utica Police.
Owens has been charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
