Former Mount Union Area Junior/Senior High School Driver Waives Preliminary Hearing on Charges of Indecent Assault and Harassment after Seven Student Victims Come Forward
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that a former Huntingdon County high school bus driver waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday on indecent assault and other charges.
David Kim Gardner, 65, of Croghan Pike, Shirleysburg, was arrested last week and charged with indecent assault, harassment and other offenses related to inappropriately touching the buttocks, breasts, hips and thighs of female students. He also verbally harassed students, commented on their physical appearances, and in one instance, asked a 15-year-old female student to sit on his lap. The incidents occurred on the bus Gardner drove for the Mount Union Area Junior/Senior High School.
“This bus driver exploited his position as a high school bus driver to harass and assault underage minors who were entrusted to his care,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “Students took action and were brave enough to come forward about this abuse, and now, he will be held responsible for his crimes. We will hold him – and anyone who abuses children in Pennsylvania – accountable.”
The investigation began when Pennsylvania State Police received a tip from the Huntingdon County Office of Children’s Services related to Gardner. State Police later learned that the stepmother of one of the victims contacted the school directly to complain about Gardner’s behavior.
The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Megan Madaffari.
Suspected predators can be reported by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Submit a tip on child predators by texting “PAKIDS” followed by your tip to 847411.
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