School Bus Driver in Virginia Arrested, Accused of Strangling Student on Way to School

A school bus driver in Virginia has been arrested after she was accused of strangling a student on the way to school.

Police became aware of the situation on March 30 when they received a report of a disorderly individual at Linkhorne Elementary School in Lynchburg, Virginia, according to a press release viewed by Us Weekly.

An investigation was launched into the matter and detectives learned that a bus driver allegedly assaulted a student on the bus while the vehicle was parked in the school parking lot.

Police worked with Lynchburg City Schools in order to determine that the student had been strangled during the incident. Authorities added that the child is safe and did not sustain life-threatening injuries while they were attacked.

No further updates have been shared about the incident, including the age of the child involved in the altercation or what was happening just prior to the attack.

Bus driver Effie Wynn was arrested on Saturday, April 4, and was charged with strangulation and child neglect, according to the press release. She is currently being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond.

It is not currently clear if Wynn, 73, has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The Lynchburg Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding the case.

The press release concluded with the Lynchburg Police Department saying they were “grateful for its partnership with [the] school administration, Lynchburg City Schools and School Safety Officers” amid the situation.

The department also said that “additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

This investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing.

Police have asked that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Officer Tara Scruggs at (434) 485-2652.

If Wynn is found guilty of strangulation, she could be sentenced to serve one to five years in state prison and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $2,500, according to Virginia Law.

Meanwhile, the sentence for child neglect in the state of Virginia depends on the severity of the act and if the person is charged with a misdemeanor or felony.

If Wynn is found guilty of misdemeanor child neglect, she would be sentenced to serve up to 12 months in jail and to pay a fine of up to $2,500.

Meanwhile, Class 4 felony child neglect is punishable by two to 10 years in prison with fines up to $100,000. Class 6 felony child neglect is punishable by one to five years in prison, up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

If you suspect child abuse, please call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit ChildHelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential, and the hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.