‘Disturbing’: NH school bus driver kicked, poured water on students with disabilities, police say
Slapping, kicking, grabbing, covering the mouth with a hand -- and, oh yes, pouring water on a victim. That’s what allegedly happened on a New Hampshire school bus transporting intellectually disabled children home from school last month.
But the kids weren’t fighting amongst themselves. Police say it was the bus driver assaulting the children who were just five to six years old.
The incident happened on February 17th, said Hudson, NH Police Chief Tad Dionne. Three days later, Hudson’s school department found out about it from a parent.
“The district contacted families of the students that were on this bus once we were made aware of the initial concern,” said Hudson School Superintendent Daniel Moulis, Ed. D. “The actions of the driver were wrong and violated the trust of our students and our parents.”
The actions also broke the law. Monday, Hudson police arrested the driver, 68-year-old Virene Poliquin, who had been employed for six years at Durham School Services.
“She is charged with nine Class A misdemeanor simple assault counts on three juvenile students,” said Dionne. “During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Virene Poliquin assaulted one student seven times and two other students once.”
Those assaults were allegedly caught on the bus’s surveillance tape. Among those who viewed it, Chief Dionne.
“I’ve been a police officer for a long time,” he said. “Needless to say, there are not too many events that make me pause when reviewing a case. This incident did so. Poliquin’s actions are completely unacceptable, disturbing and without justification under the law.”
Poliquin posted a $500 bail -- but no one came to the door of her home, save for a barking dog.
But down the street, neighbor Dorothy Matthews was willing to weigh in. A lot.
“I have anger towards that person because I don’t know why you could do this to a child,” said Matthews who, along with her husband, served as a foster parent for thirty years.”It’s bad enough you do it to another person that’s your age, but to a child who’s defenseless?
You are much stronger and wiser than them. It just hurts my heart.”
And Matthews knows kids can be a handful at times.
“Kids, they’re not always Mr. Perfect, Mrs. Little Perfect,” she said. “And they do things that aggravate you. But goodness gracious, you’re an adult. Please. Treat children with tenderness and care.”
Class A Misdemeanors in New Hampshire are serious enough to warrant a possible prison sentence of less than one year. Poliquin faces arraignment in a Nashua Courtroom early next month.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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