A former school bus assistant in the United States has admitted to assaulting three young students with autism who were unable to speak about the abuse they suffered.
Guilty Plea Entered on Multiple Charges
Kiarra Jones, aged 30, pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges on Monday, 5th January 2026, just as her trial was due to begin in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. The plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Court documents reveal that Jones admitted to 10 felony counts of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanour counts of child abuse. The 18th Judicial District Attorney, Amy Padden, confirmed the details of the case.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Shocking Abuse
The disturbing incidents came to light in 2024 after the mother of one of the victims, Jessica Vestal, requested a review of bus surveillance video. She was seeking answers for a series of injuries her then 10-year-old son had sustained, which included widespread bruising and a black eye.
The footage provided undeniable evidence of the abuse inflicted on the three nonverbal pupils, who were incapable of reporting what was happening to them. The families involved are being represented by the law firm Rathod Mohamedbhai.
Families Left with Lasting Trauma
In a statement released through their lawyers, Jessica and her husband Devon Vestal expressed their ongoing anguish. They stated they are haunted by the question of whether their son comprehends why he was hurt.
"We are committed to making sure that he understands how deeply he is loved," the couple said. The statement underscores the profound and lasting impact on the victims and their families.
Jones, who was represented by public defenders that do not comment on cases, now awaits her fate. She faces a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years for the felony charges alone. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for 18th March.
