🚨 TEXAS SCHOOL BUS DRIVER ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE - AND THEN RELEASED ON $100,000 BOND
MELISSA, TEXAS - A school bus driver entrusted with transporting children to and from school has been arrested for the possession of child sexual abuse material.
Phillip Bates, who drove Route 15 for Melissa Independent School District in Collin County, was arrested Tuesday, October 13, by McKinney police.
Melissa ISD immediately terminated his employment after learning of the arrest and notified parents.
He was released from the Collin County Jail on Wednesday after posting a $100,000 bond.
Melissa ISD Police Chief Chris Fontana said the district has no information indicating the criminal investigation involves any Melissa ISD students. The district is reportedly reviewing relevant information and cooperating with police.
I want to know… how long was he employed by Melissa ISD? Did he have previous employment involving children? Were there complaints or warning signs? And what information led McKinney investigators to make the arrest?
Parents have every right to expect transparency when someone charged with an offense involving child exploitation has been entrusted with transporting their children.
I want to know exactly what the district knew, when it knew it, and whether every reasonable safeguard was in place to protect these children.
My team and I will be digging into this. Parents deserve transparency, accountability, and answers. And we intend to get them.