Maryland bus aide arrested on child molestation charges

A Prince George’s County school bus aide was arrested Tuesday on multiple counts of molesting at least two pre-kindergarten children with special needs.

Michael Patopie, 38, of Capitol Heights, was charged with second-degree child abuse, sexual assault and other related sex offenses with minors.

According to the charging documents, video footage from the bus shows Mr. Patopie inappropriately touching two children, ages 4 and 5.

“I am horrified by the nature of these crimes, sickened and angry that this individual may have preyed upon our students,” said Kevin Maxwell, CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools.

“We will cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners to ensure that he is held accountable,” Mr. Maxwell said. “Our focus remains on providing all children with a quality education in a safe learning environment.”

County school officials already were facing harsh criticism over charges of child abuse in the Head Start program that prompted federal officials to cut funding for the program, as well as charges of child pornography and sexual abuse against a teacher’s aide in Glenarden.

According to school and legal officials, Mr. Patopie worked as an aide on a bus that carried children with speaking difficulties at James Ryder Randall Elementary School in Clinton.

Substitute school bus driver Shirley Adams first noticed Mr. Patopie’s questionable behavior in November and reported him to her supervisor, officials said. After working different routes for several months, Ms. Adams was surprised to see him still on the bus when she returned to his route.

In May Ms. Adams reported seeing Mr. Patopie hug and kiss a 4-year-old boy on the forehead, which confirmed her suspicion of inappropriate behavior. Ms. Adams emailed her boss asking to discuss the issue in person. The meeting never took place.

Ms. Adams called Child Protective Services in May to anonymously report the incidents, officials said. Mr. Patopie and the supervisor then were put on administrative leave.

Prince George’s County Police were informed of the incident June 20 and have since led the investigation. The charging documents note that Mr. Patopie was the only adult male on the victims’ bus. Investigators say he identified himself as the man in video evidence in a Sept. 1 interview with police.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office said the office is working with the police department and school system in the ongoing investigation.

“Any time that children are victims, it tears at our hearts, and I can tell you that it’s something that the state’s attorney takes very personally,” spokesman John Erzen said. “Our top priority is the safety of our children and to ensure they are safe, not only in school but as they travel to and from school.”

Mr. Patopie is being held at Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on $500,000 bond. If he posts bond, one of the conditions would be that Mr. Patopie has no contact with any minors.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 24.