When we put our kids on the school bus, we expect them to get to their destinations safely. We understand there may be a few stops to pick up more kids, but they should be at school in short order. The same is true at dismissal. Students get into their big yellow school buses every day, eager to get home. Sometimes, the bus runs late, and parents find themselves anxiously awaiting their children’s arrival. But in general, we trust the bus driver to get them home safely.
One school bus driver in Grafton, Massachusetts, however, allegedly took some students on a joyride, making unauthorized stops. His decision left him without a job and charged with kidnapping.
According to NBC Boston, the Worcester County District Attorney’s office identified the driver as 54-year-old Redi Gace. He worked for AA Transportation and drove students enrolled at Grafton Public Schools. In a statement obtained by the news outlet, AA Transportation noted that Gace was certified by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles’ school bus division and underwent both state and federal background checks. AA Transportation said the investigation began after a parent filed a complaint.
“AA Transportation staff, including myself, have and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities and provide all pertinent information that is available to us,” AA Transportation President Ronald Ernenwein shared in the statement. “The safety of the children we transport is our highest priority. We greatly appreciate and value the trust that school districts put in AAT and we are committed to earning that trust each and every day.”
Grafton Public Schools Superintendent Jay Cummings addressed Gace’s arrest in a post on the school district website.
“He was charged with Kidnapping and Reckless Endangerment of a Child under 18. This driver deviated from his route with students in the vehicle and made unauthorized stops. We are in direct communication with the families impacted and are offering support and resources as needed,” Cummings wrote.
“We are working closely with the Grafton Police Department and AA Transportation as the investigation continues,” he added in the statement. “Because it is still an active investigation, we are limited in our ability to share any additional details. Families with specific questions related to the investigation are encouraged to contact the Grafton Police Department.”
Gace was charged with kidnapping, reckless endangerment, misleading a police investigation, and tampering with evidence, NBC Boston reported. A judge set his bail at $50,000 and mandated house arrest with no contact with anyone younger than 16. A judge also ordered him to surrender his passport.
We have so many questions. Where did he go? How long were these unauthorized stops? Did he put these kids in serious danger? This is so scary, but thankfully, a parent spoke up, and the kids are safe.
