A school bus driver has been charged with felony child neglect for allegedly doing nothing to stop three teenage boys from terrorizing female students on his route.
Court documents say Terry Burch, 67, of Portage, failed to prevent physical abuse to the girls or failed to report it.
The documents filed Friday also say Burch did nothing when the three boys — two 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old — threatened Burch and others, exposed their genitals on the bus, exposed their buttocks to passing motorists, ignited a flammable body spray and created other disruptions.
Burch denied knowing such behavior was occurring on the bus, said Cpl. Troy Williams, a Portage Township schools resource officer.
A message seeking comment left Saturday at Burch's home was not immediately returned.
Burch told the Portage Township School Board on Monday that drivers cannot see what happens in the back of buses and that no parents notified him of problems.
One girl who claims to have been repeatedly groped on the bus told officers she reported the abuse to Burch more than once.
The 16-year-old faces juvenile charges of sexual battery and attempted sexual battery. One 17-year-old faces charges of strangulation and intimidation, and the other is charged with sexual battery.
Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel is seeking to have the boys' cases moved to adult court.
