Bus aide convicted of assaulting special needs student

Back in January 2020, a bus ride at Leonard Kirtz School turned into an assault situation when a bus aide, Patricia Bennett, and a student, Cameron Rodriguez, got into a physical altercation.

"When you leave your kids with authorities like that you would trust your kids with them," said Lebron Matthews, father of Rodriguez. "And for that instance that happened with our child, it was just mind blowing," he said.

The trial began Tuesday at the Mahoning County Courthouse. It is reported that the incident happened after Bennett bumped Rodriguez with her elbow.

Rodriguez then pushed Bennett back, that's when Bennett reportedly swung on him, causing both of them to end up on the floor of the bus.

Bennett said in court that she was defending herself, the prosecution said she did not handle the situation with sensitivity.

The Rodriguez's tell 21 News they weren't notified of the incident until about a week later, when someone sent an anonymous letter to the school reporting what happened.

"We thank that person for their courage to stand up for what is right," Rodriguez said. She also says the altercation had lasting effects on her son.

"It was rough. He didn't wanna go on the bus," said Jalyn Rodriguez, Cameron's mother. "Anywhere he went we had to explain to him that there's not gonna be someone there to hurt him," she said.

Video footage captured the incident and was used in court. The Rodriguez's were upset to see it.

"No one should have to go and watch a video of their child being attacked. That's insane," said Rodriguez.
"I was in shock. Mad, sad, I mean just, I was a whole bunch of emotions all in one," she said.

Bennett was found guilty on several charges including assault, child endangering, and falsification, and will be sentenced in the coming months.