Family wants better regulation after 15-year-old accused of raping 7-year-old on school bus

(WISH) — The lawyer for the family whose child survived a sexual assault on a school bus is asking anyone with more information to come forward.

Laura Swafford of Wagner Reese law firm says this never should have happened in the first place. The child was 7 years old and placed next a 15-year-old on the bus.

“I’m involved to raise awareness of what has occurred, to see if there’s other witness that could come forward to help us better understand what happened,” Swafford said. “My clients are left with a lot of questions.”

Swafford said the 15-year-old sexually assaulted the 7-year-old multiple times on the bus. It was caught on camera, and the adult bus drivers and bus supervisor did not noticed it.

As News 8 reported Monday, authorities in Jennings County arrested the teen for rape.

News 8 reported the next day that attorneys filed a claim with school district for failing to stop the assault.

The family wants to see regulations on school buses change across the state, especially for students with special needs. Swafford said, “The family is wanting justice and they want this issue to be heard so that our children, the most vulnerable population in our community, can be protected within the school district, not only on the Jennings County buses but on all buses in the state of Indiana.”

The family knows financial compensation cannot undo what happened to their son, but asks for it to help cover therapy and other related costs. “A lot of treatment isn’t free, and it’s important that victims of sexual abuse are able to get treatment,” Swafford said.

The school said it already adjusted bus protocols for special needs buses. This includes individual seats when possible, or seat partners of similar ages, and increased adult supervision.