A trial has been set for a former Montgomery County school bus attendant accused of slapping a 9-year-old student.
Enrique Nieto, 68, was charged in January with second-degree assault after allegedly hitting the child in the face, according to court documents.
The victim got into an argument with another student on the school bus on Jan. 23, according to court documents. When the victim called the other child “stupid,” Nieto thought the insult was addressed to him.
Nieto grabbed the child by the arms and asked, “Who are you calling stupid?” Nieto then slapped the child on his face with an “open hand,” according to court documents. Police were notified the next day.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for this week, with a jury trial scheduled for mid-October.
In a letter last week to parents of students who ride Nieto’s former bus route, Georgian Forest Elementary School Principal Sundra Mann said Nieto was placed on administrative leave “immediately after MCPS was made aware of the allegation.” Nieto is no longer employed by MCPS, according to the letter.
“I am deeply disappointed and upset by the alleged behavior of Mr. Nieto,” Mann wrote. “His alleged actions are a clear violation of the Employee Code of Conduct and do not reflect the values of Georgian Forest Elementary School or our community.”
Second-degree assault carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Caitlynn Peetz can be reached at caitlynn.peetz@moco360.media
