Jefferson County Public Schools officials are investigating a pepper spray incident aboard a middle school bus.
JCPS spokeswoman Lauren Roberts said 11 children were taken to hospitals. Four were taken to Kosair East and seven were taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital downtown. All 11 children were in fair condition at last check and are being treated for exposure to pepper spray. They were decontaminated and showered at the hospital.
Roberts said bus No. 0222 was from Westport Middle School.
The bus pulled off southbound Interstate 71, just past the Watterson Expressway, after the incident.
Roberts said two female students were arguing and one sprayed pepper spray.
A mother, whose 13-year-old daughter was the target of the pepper spray, said her daughter had an ongoing dispute with the girl who sprayed her and that something should have been done earlier to prevent the incident.
The woman’s other daughter was also hit.
Roberts said the student responsible will be disciplined, but it is up to parents of other students whether to file charges. Two parents who spoke to WLKY said they plan on filing charges.
Parents said they're optimistic their kids will be released from the hospital Tuesday night, but it's unclear if that will happen.
Nineteen students remaining on the bus were taken home on that bus.
Most Popular Stories at WLKY
