LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — The Lee's Summit Police Department is investigating the assault of a school bus driver.
The incident happened Oct. 4 after school around 4:30 p.m.
Students were being dropped off at the townhomes at Crossroads of Lee's Summit in the 2200 block of NE Town Center, and the bus driver was dealing with a disruptive 7-year-old child, according to police.
Brittany Markeson told KSHB 41 News she saw the driver get out of her seat with a clipboard.
"She was writing up this little kid, and all of a sudden, I saw her yank this little boy really hard out of his seat. And I said something to her. And I mean, I'm going to be honest, I went and got his mom," Markeson said on Friday.
Police say that mother, Khadija Walton, got on board the bus to give the driver a lesson in the form of violence.
"We've had nothing but issues with this bus driver, the kids have been complaining about how rude she's been, she's mean, she's threatening," Markeson said.
The driver ended up in hospital with cuts and bruises to her face. She got treated and released.
"She is not innocent, and like something needs to be done. You don't put your hands on no kids at all," Markeson said.
A spokesperson for the LSR-7 School District wouldn't say much other than their own investigation into the matter is still active.
The district, like so many others around the metro, is also actively looking for school bus drivers. KSHB 41 News did ask how an incident like Monday's impacts those recruiting efforts, but the district spokesperson ignored that question.
"It was all over the boy humming, and he was humming and wouldn't put his mask up all the way," Markeson said. "I understand that the kids can be a distraction, but you're nitpicking, just turn some music on."
Officers gave Walton a ticket to show up in court for what they call "common assault."
That court date is set for Dec. 16.
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