Former Marple Newtown School District bus driver investigated for ‘upskirting’ students
UPPER PROVIDENCE » Upper Providence police are investigating allegations a Marple Newtown School District bus driver was “upskirting” teenage students he was taking to a local Catholic school.
Police were called to St. Mary Magdalen School Tuesday where a female teenage student told them her school bus driver, who was operating bus #302, had apparently been photographing or “upskirting” young female students’ private areas with his cell phone.
Police said a preliminary investigation confirmed the allegation and two additional teenage victims have been identified. All the parents of the children have been notified.
Detectives spoke with the District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit and a search warrant has been obtained for the bus drivers’ phone and a forensic evaluation of the phone is taking place.
On Wednesday morning, Marple Newtown School District Superintendent Tina Kane alerted families of the school district to the incident and said the welfare and safety of students entrusted to the district’s care are its paramount concern.
Kane said the driver is no longer employed by the district and is not permitted on school grounds.
“Although these allegations do not currently involve physical contact, they do include ‘upskirt’ style photographs taken on this driver’s personal cell phone,” Kane wrote. “The district is fully cooperating with law enforcement’s ongoing criminal investigation.”
Kane said if any students need to speak with school counselors they should contact the school principal.
Officials asked if residents learn of any information relevant to the case to contact Detective Sergeant George Moore at 610-566-8445.
On Thursday a spokeswoman for the county District Attorney’s office had no additional information and she said the investigation is ongoing.
In Pennsylvania when a district provides transportation to its public schools it must also provide transportation to nonprofit private schools within 10 miles of their boundary.