Family critical after teen’s attack on school bus

A 13-year-old special education student was assaulted on a Peterson Behavioral School bus by four other students on Wednesday.

The assailants were charged with battery by the Clark County School District police, and the victim's family members now accuse the bus driver of doing nothing to stop the fight. They also allege that the attack continued even as the boys were dropped off near the intersection of Torrey Pines and Peak drives about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"This happened on a Clark County school bus where there was (adult) supervision," said the boy's mother, Celia Bringhurst.

"This should have never happened. They have radios on the bus. He should have called Metro or school police."

The mother wants an investigation to stop "this ordeal" from happening to another student.

The victim, Devin Bringhurst, only escaped his assailants after they were scared off by the sirens of a passing police car, said Devin's sister, Vanessa Edmonds, 19.

Devin "came home crying and in pain," Celia Bringhurst said.

She took her son to the hospital. "His injuries were not major, but that doesn't mean he didn't suffer emotionally," she said.

The mother said School District transportation officials have told her that the bus driver is no longer working for the school district.

A school district source told the Review-Journal that the driver's name is John Robbins.

Michael Rodriguez, the public information officer for the School District, would not confirm that, but said the district does have a driver by that name.

"While we cannot discuss personnel matters, the appropriate action will be taken after a thorough review," Rodriguez said.

School District Police Lt. Ken Young said the bus driver was not under "any criminal investigation."

Young said there is a legal distinction between fights involving only juveniles and child abuse cases. Adults do have a legal obligation to respond in cases where adults are abusing children, but there is no legal obligation to intervene or call for help in fights involving only juveniles, Young said.

The boys involved in the school bus fight were about the same age or a couple years older than the victim, according to his family members.

In general, Rodriguez said, a student who is arrested could also face disciplinary action such as a suspension or expulsion.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal. com or 702-374-7917.