PGCPS investigating claim of student being pushed off school bus by driver

A Prince George's County mother is appalled by video she says shows her son being hit and pushed by a school bus driver.

The boy is a student at Drew Freeman Middle School in Suitland, but he didn't take the bus to school on Friday. That is because his parents would not let him after what they say happened on Thursday.

"Once I got the video, I just started crying," said Portia Thomas-Jackson.

She believes her son, J'Quan, was struck by the bus driver and video of the incident was recorded by friends of the 14-year-old.

"It looked like a swing more than a slap," she said.

The family said there had been an argument between students on the school bus and acknowledges J'Quan called the driver a crude name.

Thomas-Jackson said her son told her he was stepping onto the bus when the driver said something about her and then pushed J'Quan off the bus.She said J'Quan injured his ankle when he fell.

"He caught his balance, but in the process of coming down backwards, he sprained his ankle," Thomas-Jackson said.

The boy's father met with the principal Friday morning. The family wants an investigation.

As for the bus driver, Thomas-Jackson said, "I think he should be terminated. I think he should be dismissed … on the spot."

The Prince George's County Public Schools told FOX 5 in a statement: "As with all incidents of this type, a thorough investigation will be conducted. School administrators and security staff are working together to investigate the incident."

The school system said the bus driver is still driving for them, but has been removed from that particular route in question.