Former School Bus Aide Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Children in Colorado

Arapahoe County, Colorado: A former school bus aide has pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges stemming from the assault of children aboard a school bus, following an investigation triggered by injuries reported on a nonverbal child with autism.

According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the investigation into 30-year-old Kiarra Jones began after a parent reported that her son returned home with unexplained bruises on his foot. The child, who is nonverbal and autistic, was unable to communicate what had occurred.

🚨: #JUSTICE - A former school bus aide, Kiarra Jones, pleads guilty to 12 charges after surveillance video showed her striking 3 nonverbal autistic children she was supposed to protect.

These kids couldn’t speak but justice did.

This is what accountability looks like.… pic.twitter.com/fzmcQtfrms

— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) January 7, 2026

Authorities said the complaint prompted a review of surveillance footage from the Littleton Public Schools bus camera system. The footage allegedly showed Jones physically assaulting the child on multiple occasions, with incidents dating back to February 2024. The investigation ultimately identified three child victims.

Jones was arrested in April 2024 and subsequently terminated from her position as a school bus aide.

On Monday, Jones entered guilty pleas to 12 charges—10 felony counts of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Each felony count carries a potential maximum sentence of up to 1.5 years in prison.

Sentencing has been scheduled for March 18 at 2 p.m.

District Attorney Amy Padden condemned the actions, stating that Jones had abused a position of trust involving vulnerable children. She noted that the plea agreement spares the victims and their families from the emotional toll of a trial while ensuring accountability under the law.