Three people have been arrested in connection with that incident Wednesday involving a Lumpkin County school bus, in which allegations were made that students were held in the bus against their will for half an hour by the driver.
The sheriff’s office said Thursday its investigation determined that that did not happen and that the driver did nothing to justify charges against her but that actions of three parents warranted their arrests.
The investigation began after deputies responded to a disturbance aboard the bus while it was transporting students home from Cottrell Elementary School. The bus was operated by a substitute driver with prior experience, but it was her first day on this particular route.
It found that the driver had experienced repeated student‑management issues before leaving the school. Administrators boarded the bus several times to address students who were yelling, fighting, moving between seats, throwing objects, and refusing to follow instructions. Video evidence later confirmed that these issues continued after the bus left the school.
When the bus reached its first stop at Highland Trace Apartments, students assigned to that stop were allowed to exit. One student assigned to a later stop also exited but was directed back onto the bus. Adults then approached the bus and demanded that more children be released. The driver explained that those students were assigned to another stop and needed to remain seated before the bus could continue.
As more adults gathered and spoke to children through the windows, the situation escalated. Another bus driver arrived to assist, and during that response the emergency‑release mechanism was operated. A student then opened the bus door, allowing adults to enter and remove children.
Investigators reviewed bus‑camera recordings, body‑camera footage, witness videos, and statements. They determined the bus remained stationary for about 14 to 15 minutes, not the 30 minutes alleged. They also found no evidence that the driver intentionally turned off the air conditioning as punishment or ignored a medical emergency.
Following consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, warrants were issued for three adults. April Michelle Disspain faces charges of simple battery, disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public‑school bus, and disorderly conduct. Tony Ray Chastain is charged with disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public‑school bus and disorderly conduct. Mariah Quinones faces one charge of disrupting or interfering with the operation of a public‑school bus.
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active, with additional school‑system records being subpoenaed to “confirm student identities, designated stops, and witness accounts.”
(This is an AI-assisted story.)