School Bus Attendant Accused Of Molesting Girl
Das Being Held On $75,000 Bond
from NBC4.com
BETHESDA, Md. — A Montgomery County school bus attendant was arrested Wednesday after being accused of sexually assaulting a special education student.
Srivash Das, 38, is accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl on a school bus. He was charged with sex abuse of a minor and a third-degree sex offense.
The victim’s mother reported the attack to the assistant principal of Ashburton Elementary School in Bethesda last week, police said.
Detectives said Das sat next to the victim on the way to school and inappropriately touched her both over and under her clothes.
"Lock him up, throw them out, throw away the key," said parent Daniel Watt.
Several other students on the bus at the time were not aware of the incident, police said.
Authorities said Das did pass a background check before he was hired and did not have a prior criminal record.
Although there are currently no other reported victims, police said they are worried there could be others.
"At this time we have no evidence that there are any other victims, but whenever an offense like this occurs, we do want to make the public aware of the individual who’s been arrested," said Lucille Baur of the Montgomery County Police Department.
Dr. Barbara Haughey, the principal at Ashburton Elementary School, issued the following statement:
"We are deeply distressed about this incident … I want to assure you that every appropriate action has been taken to support the student and the family."
Das is being held on $75,000 bond.
Anyone with information should call (240) 773-5400 or (866) 411-TIPS.