Former APS Bus Worker Charged with Child Abuse
A former bus attendant for Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) is facing charges after police alleged she struck a special needs student with a plastic sign.
According to a criminal complaint, employees at the APS Special Education Diagnostic Center reported noticing fresh scratch marks on a student’s neck in early September. Police reviewed video footage that appeared to show the bus attendant, identified as Debbie Chavira, slapping the student with a plastic sign.
The complaint also details multiple instances dating back to late August, where Chavira is accused of hitting the student on various parts of the body, including the arm, neck, torso, and face.
“We do not tolerate this kind of behavior. Upon discovering what was happening, we immediately placed bus attendant Debbie Chavira on leave and notified the APS Police Department. APS police launched an investigation and filed criminal charges,” stated APS Communications Director Martin Salazar.
Chavira was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) on Friday and is facing five counts of child abuse. APS confirmed to News 13 that Chavira is no longer employed with the district, having resigned in early September.