Rural Transit bus driver arrested for reportedly striking children with hand

A Rural Transit bus driver was arrested Tuesday after he reportedly struck two children with his hand.\nCharles D. Glass, 72, pulled over the Rural Transit bus because the children were being “too loud.” According to the probable cause affidavit, Monroe County Deputy Roger Watkins was dispatched to the bus to see if it had broken down. When Watkins entered the bus, he noted the children were “extremely upset and crying.”\nWatkins was told by 10 witnesses on the bus that the driver slapped two 9-year-old children, one on the face and one on the back.\nGlass admitted to authorities that he struck one victim in the face, but denied striking anyone on the back, according to the affidavit. He said he had to pull the bus over five times to get the children to stay in their seats.\nAnother bus was called to transfer the children from the Rural Transit bus. The children were on their way from school to the Boys & Girls Club . \nAccording to the affidavit, Glass was placed under arrest and interviewed at the Monroe County Sheriff’s office. Glass was booked into the Monroe County Jail after he admitted to striking the child. \nGlass has since been released from jail on bail.\nJewel Echelbarger, executive director of Area 10 Agency on Aging, which runs Rural Transit, said she feels everybody deserves a trial. Rural Transit has not yet reprimanded Glass for his action. Echelbarger said Glass has had an “absolutely perfect record” with Rural Transit and said he has the right to defend himself.\nShe said she was unsure if Glass would still be driving for the bus system. \n“I have known this man for a very long time, and I can only speak very highly (of him),” Echelbarger said. “I have the utmost respect.”