Spotsylvania aide accused of sexually assaulting students on school bus

A school bus aide in the Spotsylvania school system has been charged with multiple felony offenses after allegedly sexually assaulting three young children on a county bus Thursday.

Miguel Angel Velasquez Velasco, 22, is charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, two counts of indecent liberties and attempted sodomy. He is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Sheriff's Maj. Troy Skebo said the Child Victim Unit began an investigation Thursday after school authorities reported a suspicion that a student had been inappropriately touched on the bus. Skebo said the investigation revealed that three children, all ages 4 or 5, were assaulted that day. The victims are all listed as students with disabilities.

Skebo said detectives are still investigating Velasquez Velasco and that no further information was being released at this time.

It is the latest in a series of recent arrests involving school employees and the second within a week. An autism teacher at Parkside Elementary School was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after a 6-year-old autistic child was found on Smith Station Road after walking out of the school. The child was not injured.

Velasquez Velasco is also the second employee this year facing felony charges for alleged actions on school property. A former second-grade teacher at Spotswood Elementary School is facing multiple drug-related charges after narcotics were found in her classroom in May.

A number of students have also picked up felony charges, including at least eight who were recently arrested for allegedly posting threats on social media.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404

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