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Dad Who Stormed Bus Apologizes for Some Actions
Filed under: In The News, Bullying
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A Florida father who stormed onto a school bus and threatened children because his 13-year-old disabled daughter had been bullied is apologizing for the way he handled the situation.
James Willie Jones said in a statement to The Associated Press on Monday that he is sorry for his "inappropriate use of language and for the way I handled the situation." But he says his daughter suffers from cerebral palsy and he "could not stand by and helplessly watch her suffer."
"As a dad, my No. 1 priority is providing for and protecting my children," he said in a statement released to the AP. "Since the school year started, my wife and I noticed that our daughter had become increasingly distraught about school and riding the school bus, but she wouldn't tell us exactly why.
"As the involved parent of a child who suffers from cerebral palsy, it broke my heart. When I walked my daughter to the bus that morning, she broke down in tears and finally told me about the bullies who had tormented her on the school bus. She was afraid.
"In the heat of the moment, I wanted to confront the individuals who had bullied my daughter and the authority figure who failed to protect her. I sincerely apologize for my inappropriate use of language and for the way I handled the situation. As the protector of my daughter I could not stand by and helplessly watch her suffer."
Jones plans to hold a news conference with his attorney Tuesday to answer questions related to his arrest.
He was charged last week with disorderly conduct and disturbing a school function for the Sept. 3 incident in Sanford, just north of Orlando. He later posted $2,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from the driver and county school buses.
The girl had to be hospitalized because of stress from the confrontation, Jones' attorney, Natalie Jackson, said last week. She said Jones told deputies he complained to Seminole County school administrators in the past but nothing had been done to help the girl.
School spokeswoman Regina Murray Klaers said in an e-mail that Jones did not express his concerns to school administrators. He did report an incident involving another girl, not his daughter, Klaers said. That incident was fully investigated, and appropriate action was taken, Klaers said.
Jones boarded the school bus because several boys were allegedly bullying his daughter, according to the sheriff's office report. He told deputies the boys placed an open condom on his daughter's head, smacked her on the back of her head, twisted her ear and shouted rude comments at her, the report said.
Video surveillance from the bus - which fueled fodder on national talk shows - displays Jones asking his daughter to point out the students accused of harassing her. Jones is heard on the video threatening those who bully his daughter, and he also threatens the bus driver.
Jones said in the statement that he plans to advocate and raise awareness against bullying.
"Bullying has become an epidemic in our country," he said. "Even though some schools are adopting 'zero tolerance' anti-bullying policies, it hasn't eliminated the problem. Parents need to work with their children to let them know this kind of behavior is unacceptable and we all need to be aware of what's happening with our kids.
"I hope that there are lessons we can all learn from this situation. I know I have," he added. "It is my prayer that your children, whether disabled or not, will never have to endure anything like what my daughter went through."
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. This article was written by ANTONIO GONZALEZ, Associated Press Writer.
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 8)
9-21-2010 @ 8:31PM
makeda said...I agree with him 100%! The dumb bus drivers act as if nothing is going on. He should have confronted the driver 1st.
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9-22-2010 @ 4:24AM
David S. said...Makeda -- a bus driver cannot drive the bus and play cop at the same time. Ideally there would be aide on all buses -- but with school budgets already slashed that isn't going to happen.
9-21-2010 @ 8:21PM
Matt said...I "feel" this man's anger and frustration. He acted civil compared to what I would have done in the heat of the moment. A crazy guy made a sexual comment about my daughters and I tore his ass up right on my front lawn, cops came and everything. I DON"T CARE! A man protects his family. Mr Jones I want to treat your family to dinner. Please contact me.
Matt "a father like yourself"
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9-21-2010 @ 9:03PM
sherry said...I wonder if any of the bullies did / will apologize.
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9-21-2010 @ 8:27PM
Jennifer said...This guy should have never apologized. He did the right thing, and stuck up for his daughter. I have threatened to beat the crap out of 13 year old when they pick on my niece.The threats scared them.. Totally made them stop and I swear to god I would have ran the little brats over with my car--lol
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9-21-2010 @ 8:36PM
Becky Irvin said...We had a situation with our son who was in 4 th grade being bullied by a sixth grader on the bus. After the older child tripped our son and messing up his teeth and we went directly to that child's house and asked them if they would like to be sued for dental work that needed to be done because of their child's actions. His parents took care of the problem. Parents need to understand they are responsible for their children, and if they arent clued in as to what is going on how can they do something. Maybe pressing charges of harassment might wake them up also if they won't handle the situation. I feel for this parent as I have a nephew who has c p.
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9-21-2010 @ 8:37PM
misty said...Where are the parents of these bullies?! How come they are never called upon to speak up and give an account for their poor parenting? I think parents of bulllies ought to be on the news and be fined. In every bullying case I've observed on the news or read about in the news - I've never heard from the parents.
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9-21-2010 @ 9:28PM
louiesmar said...Your comment about holding the parents responsible was wonderful. As a retired teacher, I can tell you firsthand that there are many parents who will not make their child take responsibility for their actions. Frankly, I was applauding the father and find it shameful that he had to apologize. Its disgusting that the bullies in this world seem to have the rights and the victims have to apologize for defending themselves. And shame on the bus driver~!!
Where was he when all this was happening? I admire the dad!
9-22-2010 @ 1:28PM
3boys said...Interesting, I remember reading an article about the Phoebe Prince bullying suicide in South Hadley High School that included the comments of the bullies parents. It was total denial and blame the victim. the kids and the parents thought they had done nothing wrong because the victims image in their minds had been so totally dehumanized. Ordinary people thought she deserved it! No remorse!
The thing is, I can't find that story now. Removed to "protect" the bullies?
9-21-2010 @ 8:40PM
chere said...THIS PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND HIS CHILD AGAINST OTHER IDDIOT BULLIES WHO TRY TO HURT A DISABLED CHILD. THESE BULLIES NEED TO BE SUSPENDED. I HOPE PEOPLE SEND THIS DAD MONEY TO COVER HIS COSTS BECAUSE NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT IN SCHOOLS WHICH I FUND TO REACH OUT AND HURT SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY CAN. I AM TIRED OF THIS BS. AND I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.
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9-21-2010 @ 8:40PM
mrsloav said...Watch the parents of one of the bullies sue this family for the father's actions. They will claim the poor little bully is having nightmares because the big bad man threatened him.
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9-21-2010 @ 10:15PM
Jim said...I can understand how Mr. Jones let his emotions get the best of him in the case of his daughter being bullied. I commend him for his obvious love and concern for his daughter. More parents need to get involved with their children and more school officials, including bus drivers and even children need to look out for, and report the bullies. Our children have the right to be able to go to school and not suffer humiliation and physical harm from these bullies. God Bless Mr. Jones and his Daughter.
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9-21-2010 @ 9:40PM
Joan Higman said...Good Dad! And where in the world was the bus driver when all this was going on!
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9-21-2010 @ 10:22PM
Babygirl said...The bus driver and one other adult is on the bus at all times, but neither speak English. Imagine that. This FATHER (i capitalize because he is indeed a father) did the right thing. More parents should do as he did.
9-21-2010 @ 9:10PM
dawn said...I can understand this father's flustration. I don't agree with the way he handled the situation, but at least he cares about his child & was trying to protect her. Why are we only seeing a video of the father trying to protect his daughter? Where is the video of these boys bullying this poor little girl & why have no charges been brought on this bus driver & the school district for allowing this to happen? And also where are the parents of these boys - hiding in shame I would guess?
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9-21-2010 @ 8:47PM
debbie said...I feel bad for this man. He feels powerless to protect a daughter who is powerless. The school and the county are responsible for her safety the minute she steps on that bus...and they're not doing their job. The father should have called the police to report that his daughter has been assaulted. That would have been his only next step other than what he did (which though inappropriate and ineffectual....was an act of frustration).
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9-21-2010 @ 9:06PM
sukieor said...Debbie, I have been in this situation before and unfortunately the policeman who took the report did nothing except mess up all the paperwork because I later found out that he "knew" the person who assaulted my child.
9-21-2010 @ 8:46PM
Randy said...So, what was the problem; the little s___s are lucky he didn't slap the s___ out of them. The bus driver needs to do his job and forget about talking to his union rep.
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9-21-2010 @ 9:35PM
queen said...Randy,
I agree with you I just know that''s not what he should have done. lol
9-21-2010 @ 9:16PM
Ella said...I don't blame this parent at all for his actions. It is frustrating to see your child suffer because of a stupid bully. He just could not stand by and let these monsters harrass his child while the cowardly bus driver and indifferent school officials did nothing. I was bullied as a child but I have a strong character so it only made me stronger. I rose above it and made sure I was never anywhere that made me vulnerable. Bullies are insecure individuals who prey upon people that they are envious of. They will never be able to be like that other person so they have to do something that makes them feel superior. It is a shame because they will never know how wonderful it is to bestow an act of kindness or to have someone say how much they appreciate having them as a friend.
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