A Prince George’s County school bus aide has been indicted on charges of child abuse and sexual molestation of two specials needs children.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks announced the indictment Thursday, saying Michael Patopie would stand trial for several counts of child abuse, assault and sex offenses stemming from a Nov. 19 incident.
Mr. Patopie was working on a school bus that was taking home children from James Ryder Randall Elementary School in Clinton. Bus surveillance video shows the man sitting next to two students and touching them inappropriately, Ms. Alsobrooks said.
“We believe it shows him inappropriately touching one of those victims,” said John Erzen, a spokesman for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Office. “As that victim exits the bus, the video shows [Mr. Patopie] then sitting next to another victim where we again, we believe based on what we have seen, that there is inappropriate touching of that victim as well.”
Prince George’s County Police said the abuse happened to children aged 4 and 5 and that a second incident took place in May 2016.
Mr. Patopie remains in custody in the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on no bond. His initial court date is pending.
The indictment comes just months after a grand jury indicted a former teacher’s aide on 270 criminal counts including child abuse, sex offense and child pornography.
Deonte Carraway, 22, of Glenarden, was charged with sexually assaulting at least 23 children who attended Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School on and off campus between August and February, according to Ms. Alsobrooks. The children ranged in age from 9 to 13.
• Ryan M. McDermott can be reached at rmcdermott@washingtontimes.com.
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