School bus aide facing charges after allegedly assaulting 7-year-old first grade boy

LAUREL, Md. - A school bus aide is in custody and is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a 7-year-old first grade boy on a bus.

Police say 22-year-old DeQuan Brooks of Laurel is charged with child abuse and second degree assault. Investigators say they have surveillance video of Brooks attacking a first grader on the morning of June 6th while on a school bus that was heading to the Foundation School in Largo.

Authorities say transportation officials called 911 with a report of a disorderly student on the bus. Patrol officers responded and were advised by three adults on the bus that a student had been acting out and had attempted to throw Brooks' cellphone out of a window.

Police say officers found no evidence to support the allegation against the student and were never informed that a student had allegedly been physically assaulted by Brooks.

The following day, when school security provided the surveillance video, police say they learned about the assault and launched this investigation. Police say they spoke with the victim and his parents an told them about the investigation. Police say the child did have bruising on his neck.

Police say Brooks is being held without bond.