For the Reporter
A Des Moines City Councilmember, who is also a bus driver for the Highline School District, has been accused of slapping a 6-year-old special needs student in the face.
After a joint investigation with the district, King County Sheriff’s Office detectives recommended fourth degree assault charges against Jeanette Burrage to the SeaTac Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, who will make a filing decision.
Burrage, who also worked as a King County Superior Court judge, is on paid administrative leave from the school district.
School district employees reported the incident March 18 to SeaTac Police, who viewed the bus surveillance video from the afternoon routes on March 10. Police and school security officers initially responded to a disturbance on the bus on March 10. At the time, there was no indication that an assault occurred. Following the incident, the student was taken home by school district security.
An internal review of the bus surveillance video by district officials showed the driver slapping the child, who was standing on a seat at the time. District officials immediately contacted SeaTac Police.
The King County Sheriff’s Office Special Assault Unit worked with SeaTac Police, given their special experience with juvenile interviews.
Police have been told Burrage has been driving buses for Highline Transportation since 2012.
A former state Representative, Burrage ran for 33rd District Representative, position 2, but the Republican was defeated by Democrat Mia Gregerson in last November’s general election.
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