A Long Island school bus driver is facing charges, accused of kissing a teenage girl. Joel Cedeno, 62, is charged with endangering the ...
Joel Cedeno, 62, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Police say he was driving for Montauk Bus last Tuesday morning when he pulled over on Main Street in Patchogue and asked a 15-year-old girl -- who was the sole passenger on his bus on her way to Patchogue-Medford High School -- for a hug.
When she offered to shake his hand, authorities say Cedeno forcibly kissed her.
The girl's mother reported the incident to Patchogue-Medford School District, which alerted the police.
Cedeno was issued a desk appearance ticket and is due in court on May 21. He was also fired.
"The driver was immediately removed from the bus route while an investigation was being conducted," the school district said in a statement. "The driver had passed all necessary background checks and certifications."
The company's attorney says Cedeno had a spotless record and was hired in 2013.
Although there were no independent eyewitnesses, there are cameras on board the bus.
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