ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A, now former, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) bus attendant is facing charges. Police alleged she hit a special needs student with a plastic sign.
According to a criminal complaint, employees at the APS Special Education Diagnostic Center reported a student with fresh scratch marks on the back of their neck in early September.
Police said the video shows a bus attendant, identified as Debbie Chavira, slapping the student with a plastic sign.
The complaint shows instances dating back to late August where Chavira is accused of hitting the student on the arm, neck, torso, face, and other areas several times.
“We do not tolerate this kind of behavior. Upon discovering what was happening, we immediately placed bus attendant Debbie Chavira on leave and notified the APS Police Department. APS police launched an investigation and filed criminal charges,” said APS Communications Director Martin Salazar.
Chavira was booked into MDC on Friday. She is facing five counts of child abuse. APS confirmed to News 13 that Chavira is no longer employed with the district and resigned early last month.
