Police: Fairfax Co. school bus driver, aide accused of assaulting boy with autism

Two Fairfax County Public Schools employees are accused of assaulting an 11-year-old boy who has autism. According to police, the boy was assaulted on a school bus, and it allegedly happened twice in one week.

Authorities say 62-year-old James Duffy, III, who works as a school bus driver, and 35-year-old Edmund Bailey, a bus aid, assaulted the student on October 11, and again on October 13 on the way to school. They say a staff member witnessed the second assault, and intervened.

Police say a supervisor was notified, and surveillance video from the bus was also reviewed.

Bailey and Duffy both face assault and battery charges. They turned themselves in to police after warrants were issued for their arrests last Friday.

Investigators say Bailey resigned from his position as an aide, while Duffy is on administrative leave, and is currently in the process of being terminated by the school district.

Fairfax County police ask anyone who witnesses behavior such as this, especially towards members of the community who have autism or are non-verbal, to call 911 immediately. You may also contact Fairfax County Police Department to report a crime by calling Crime Solvers at 1(866)-411-TIPS, or by visiting the Fairfax Crime Solvers website. Tips can also be submitted via text by texting TIP187 plus your message to CRIMES (274637).