Bus Driver Slapped D135 4-year-old Special Needs Child: Cops

ORLAND PARK, IL — A bus driver was arrested Friday after surveillance footage showed her slapping a 4-year-old special needs child in the face, Orland Park police said Monday.

Linda Bell, 63, of the 12300 block of Benck in Alsip, was charged with aggravated battery to a child following the incident aboard the bus at an Orland District 135 school. Police were alerted after a teacher noticed the child "unusually upset and crying," and overheard the driver telling the child, "I'm sorry for hitting you," police said. The teacher also noticed red marks on the child's cheek, and reported the encounter to the principal, who called police.

The bus company, Sunrise Southwest, was able to provide investigators with the onboard video/audio for the
bus that transported the victim. The video shows the bus driver, identified as Bell, trying to place a shoe
back on the child's foot. The video also shows Bell raise her arm and then strike the victim in the face
one time, police said. On the audio recording you can hear the impact of the strike and then hear the victim begin to cry.

Investigators on Friday went to Bell’s apartment, where she was taken into custody. Interviews were conducted in conjunction with the Cook County States Attorney’s office, and Bell was transported to a bond hearing on October 8 at the Cook County Courthouse, 26th and California. No bond or court date information was available as of Monday evening.

Photo Courtesy of Orland Park Police: Linda Bell