Massachusetts school bus monitor accused of physically abusing nonverbal autistic 10-year-old

METHUEN — Chief Scott J. McNamara reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested and charged two women in connection with the physical abuse of a 10-year-old child on a bus contracted with Methuen Public Schools.

On Friday, Sept. 29, Methuen Public Schools contacted the Methuen Police Department regarding an inquiry they received from the parents of a student. A School Department investigation found that a bus monitor had physical contact with the child, and that the bus driver failed to intervene or report the matter.

As a result of a further investigation, Methuen Police obtained arrest warrants from Lawrence District Court for 56-year-old Nancy Vasquez of Lawrence, identified as the bus monitor, and 38-year-old Marlene Cruz, identified as the bus driver.

Vasquez and Cruz were arrested Tuesday. They were arraigned Tuesday in Lawrence District Court.

Vasquez was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery on a Disabled Person.

Cruz was arrested and charged with Permitting Abuse of a Disabled Person.

Vasquez was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing that took place on Friday, Oct. 6.

Cruz was released on personal recognizance, with conditions that she does not contact the victim or their family, the victim’s school, Vasquez or the bus company. She is also prohibited from working with children. She is due back in court on Nov. 3 for a pre-trial conference.

According to CBS News, the boy that Cruz is accused of assaulting is non-verbal and autistic.

Vasquez was released without bail Friday and must remain under house arrest with a GPS tracker.

“I would like to thank Methuen Public Schools for immediately bringing this incident to our attention upon learning about it,” said Chief McNamara. “It was the school department’s prompt and thorough response to a parent’s concerns that prompted this investigation.”