Mother Arrested After Disturbance on School Bus
In Polk County, Florida, a 48-year-old mother reportedly boarded a school bus on Monday morning, where she threatened students and verbally assaulted the bus driver, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The mother has been identified as LaTanya Rowe, and she made it clear that her actions were just the beginning.
“This police force can’t protect you!” she shouted.
The bus was on its way to Davenport High School, but Rowe apparently stopped to address a situation concerning her children. Allegedly, she began confronting and threatening a student over a previous incident involving her son and daughter that took place on Friday. A victim in the incident recorded Rowe’s aggressive remarks.
“Yeah, record it!” she yelled, asserting, “I know where you live!”
Rowe also confronted the bus driver, accusing him of not effectively managing the situation among the children, as reported by officials.
When the driver requested her to leave the bus, Rowe refused and walked away, even after he informed her that he would be calling the police.
As a result of her actions, the bus was delayed for approximately 50 minutes.
At one point, Rowe could be heard yelling, “These police won’t be able to protect you!” to the student.
Upon arriving at Rowe’s residence, deputies were informed through her Ring camera that she was at the high school.
Meanwhile, two school resource officers found Rowe at the high school’s front office, where she was screaming and causing a ruckus. When deputies attempted to take her into custody, she resisted, according to officials.
Rowe’s daughter was also present and was repeatedly told to back down, but she insisted on being taken to jail. The sheriff’s office noted that she was arrested for violating a “halo law” after disobeying a warning.
Investigators looked into the original incident on the bus involving Rowe’s children and the victim. They learned that Rowe’s son had been bullying the victim, using racial slurs over the past week. After school on Friday, when the three students got off the bus, the victim tried to speak to them, but they allegedly began hitting him until another student intervened.
“The irony is this woman’s kids were the ones bullying the victim, yet she was yelling at the victim,” said Sheriff Grady Judd in an update. “While the victim’s family opted not to pursue charges and wished for the school to handle it, we are moving forward with charges against this mother for criminal mischief. Disturbances on school property are unacceptable; schools must remain safe for students.”
Rowe now faces charges for disrupting a school function, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. She has been released on a $1,750 bail.
