Weslaco bus driver charged with fondling student

WESLACO — A school bus driver who allegedly fondled a young student was charged Tuesday with child indecency.

The 7-year-old girl told her mother earlier this month that Timothy Herrera, 25, had touched her inappropriately on at least one occasion, Weslaco police spokesman David Molina said.

Weslaco school district officials said the mother and daughter visited the child’s school principal at Airport Elementary School immediately after the outcry. Officials there notified the state’s Child Protective Services Division, the Weslaco Police Department and the school district’s transportation department. Superintendent Richard Rivera said district employees then found surveillance video of the girl standing next to the driver.

The child told police that Herrera summoned her to the front of the bus while he was driving and engaged her in conversation. Still driving, the man reached for the girl’s legs and fondled her, police said.

It is The Monitor’s policy not to identify those who may be victims of sex crimes. The 7-year-old’s name has been withheld to protect her identity.

Confronted with the accusations, Herrera claimed he grabbed the girl so she wouldn’t fall while he stopped the bus, Rivera said. The bus driver resigned from his position the day after police made contact with him.

Herrera had been working for the transportation department since March 2006. The man had a clean record with the department and there was no previous indication he was molesting children.

“We take student safety very seriously,” Rivera said. “We want to keep them safe.”

Police obtained a warrant for Herrera’s arrest Tuesday. Officials said the man was taken into custody at the campus, although it was not clear why he was there. He was later charged with child indecency at the Weslaco Municipal Court. Judge Samuel Sanchez set the man’s bond at $50,000.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Herrera remained at the Hidalgo County Jail. If convicted of child indecency, he could spend up to 20 years in prison and face fines of up to $10,000.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.