Girl's attorney: Bus attack was not a misunderstanding

Sunday, May 11, 2008

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The incident allegedly took place in a school bus outside of Dixie M. Hollins High School.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The attorney of a young girl who was allegedly sexually battered on a school bus outside of Dixie M. Hollins High School has said that the incident was not a misunderstanding.

"In short this was not a matter of horseplay that got out of hand," said the girl's attorney Paul Kimsey. "This was a sexual battery by a grown man, an 18-year-old, against a minor child."

According to Pinellas County deputies, 18-year-old Branden Allen sexually battered a 15-year-old girl on a school bus.

Allen was arrested, but he is now out of jail on bond.

When Allen's mother spoke to reporters outside of the courthouse Friday, she apologized on behalf of her son and called it all a misunderstanding.

"Honestly, all of this -- from what he is telling me -- is a big misunderstanding," Trina Allen said. "I think when it all came out this young lady was embarrassed, so I think that's why it's come out as far as it has."

Her comments prompted Kimsey to address the media Saturday because the alleged victims family wanted Kimsey to tell the public that there was no misunderstanding.

Kimsey said the victim didn't even know Allen.

"They may have ridden the bus together, but they were not friends," Kimsey said. "I don't believe she even knew his name."

According to the attorney, the victim was reading a book while aboard the empty school bus. And she was waiting for the bus driver when the attack occurred.

Deputies said the driver was trying to round up the other students to get on the bus. But Kimsey said the driver was gone for quite a while.

"We believe he was gone for at least 20 minutes," Kimsey said. "Apparently, he pulled the bus in. Normally these buses remain attended in the past, for some reason the bus driver took off that day."

Kimsey said the victim is still recovering from the incident, and she probably will not return to Dixie M. Hollins High School for the rest of the school year. The girl will likely be home schooled.