A Polk County School Board school bus attendant was arrested and charged with child abuse on Nov. 8. 

  • Polk County school bus attendant charged with child abuse 
  • Brenda Nelson accused of hitting, shaking special needs child

A witness, who was not on the bus, told deputies that Brenda Nelson, 65, hit a special needs child on Wednesday, officials said. 

The bus transports special needs children from the Doris Sanders Learning Center in Lakeland. 

Detectives reviewed video footage from the bus that day and observed the victim sitting in a seat on the bus, strapped down by a "Houdini Harness," which is designed to restrict a person's movements and mobility. In the video, Nelson is seen walking by the victim and hitting her on the top of her hand with an open left hand. According to the report, Nelson stated, "I'm gonna slap that tongue out of your mouth when I get up there."

Nelson is also seen grabbing the victim by her hair and violently shaking her head back and forth, approximately four times, officials said. She also slapped the victim's hand, causing the girl to make squealing noises, appearing to be in pain. 

According to the report, Nelson also attempted to tighten the victim's harness, and while sitting with the victim, she tried to push the victim down into the seat to further limit her mobility. 

During at interview with Nelson, detectives said she told them she did not remember hitting the special needs child. Nelson said the victim misbehaves often and her behaviors often upset the other children. On the bus that day, Nelson said while she was trying to get another child off of the school bus, the victim kept beating on the window and trying to get out of her seat, despite being secured by the harness. 

However, detectives said they did not see the victim beating on the window or acting disruptively in the video. 

After further questioning, Brenda stated, "I guess I done it. I didn't remember hitting her." Brenda also stated, "I must have just lost it. I don't remember doing that. I would never hit one of those kids." 

Her husband told us he doesn't believe his wife would hit a student, especially since they have a son with special needs themselves. He said he's been trying to get her to retire, and she was set to do that on Dec. 31, according to the school district.

Now, the district said Nelson is on paid leave and the superintendent is pushing to have her terminated.  

Nelson was arrested and booked into the Polk County jail on one count of child abuse.