Statesboro, Georgia — A disturbing incident aboard a Bulloch County school bus has prompted widespread concern among parents and school officials alike. Seven students are facing battery charges following an assault on a 7-year-old classmate, while the bus driver has been charged for failing to report the incident.
On May 1, 2025, law enforcement and educational leaders gathered to address community fears and share findings from an ongoing investigation. The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office reported that the attack took place on the morning of April 18. Captain Todd Hutchens described the event as a chaotic assault involving students aged 5 to 14, highlighting that the situation escalated to the point where one child allegedly stomped on the victim.
The bus driver, 70-year-old Joey Edwin Jackson, has been charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse and Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, after he reportedly did not alert authorities about the assault. Jackson, a mandated reporter, was subsequently dismissed from his position by the Bulloch County Board of Education.
Authorities became aware of the attack five days later, on April 23, when a school resource officer received a report. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the seven juveniles involved have been processed and released to their parents. Their cases have been forwarded to the Department of Juvenile Justice for further action. Fortunately, the young victim was assessed by school medical staff and did not require hospitalization.
Superintendent Charles Wilson acknowledged that the district’s response was delayed and confirmed an internal investigation is underway to identify lapses in communication. “We became aware of the situation in the days following the incident. It took time to ascertain the details and who failed to notify the appropriate channels,” Wilson noted. He assured the community that all involved students have been suspended and added that further disciplinary actions are being enforced per district policy.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, Wilson stated, “Every student deserves a safe learning environment, and unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated.” He urged parents and students to pay close attention to the district’s behavioral expectations.
As the investigation progresses, both Hutchens and Wilson stressed the importance of community involvement. While charges against the parents of the involved students are not currently being pursued, Hutchens indicated that this aspect remains open to review.
The sheriff’s office is withholding the bus’s surveillance footage for now, awaiting decisions from the District Attorney’s Office. Coordination continues among school officials, law enforcement, and juvenile justice representatives as they work to address the incident comprehensively.
Anyone with additional information about the matter is encouraged to reach out to the Bulloch County School Resource Division for assistance.