By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Sep 10, 2015, 17:37
COLONIAL HEIGHTS – A former employee of the Colonial Heights school system pleaded guilty to a class one-misdemeanor assault and battery charge after admitting to physically assaulting a student while working as a bus aide.
Peggy Jordan, 56, of Colonial Heights, was sentenced in Colonial Heights Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to 12 months of incarceration with 12 months suspended.
As a part of a plea agreement, Jordan is also required by the court to attend an anger management program, a parenting class, and serve 50 hours of community service. Jordan will also be on probation for three years.
Jordan was originally charged with two counts of assault and battery, but in agreement with the plea agreement, one charge was nolle prosequi or set aside.
The two incidents centered around these charges, both of which occurred in April on a Colonial Heights school bus. Following an investigation of the incidents, Jordan was let go from her position with the school system.
According to court records, there were no credible witnesses and no cameras on the bus. The child involved is severely autistic and is unable to verbally communicate to police or parents the assault, making the case a difficult one.
At the time of the incident, only two school buses transporting students in Colonial Heights had cameras on them. Now, all buses are equipped with cameras.
