Arizona Mother Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting School Bus Driver

Hermenegilda Marquez, a 27-year-old mother from Mesa, Arizona, has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a school employee after allegedly attacking a 64-year-old substitute school bus driver. The incident occurred on April 11, 2024, near McKellips Road and Country Club Drive, where Marquez approached the bus and accused the driver of making statements about her daughter.

According to the Mesa Police Department, Marquez boarded the bus, threatened the driver, and then proceeded to push, slap, and punch the victim. The attack occurred after the driver had dropped off students at the bus stop, with 11 children witnessing the assault. The victim claimed that after the attack, her pacemaker began to shock her.

Surveillance footage from the bus captured the incident, showing Marquez yelling, cursing, and physically assaulting the driver. Marquez's boyfriend attempted to intervene and remove her from the bus, but as she was being taken off, she reached and pulled the victim's hair. The driver then called for help, and Marquez fled the scene.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the importance of maintaining a safe environment in schools and on school buses. It also raises concerns about the well-being of school employees and the potential consequences of violent behavior towards them.

Marquez was arrested six days later on April 17 and charged with one felony count of aggravated assault on a school employee. She was already on unsupervised probation for a previous domestic violence assault conviction at the time of the incident. When informed of the charges, Marquez showed no emotion and invoked her right to legal counsel, refusing to speak with investigators.

The victim, who was left "visibly upset and crying" with a red mark under her eye, required medical attention for her injuries. She described the incident as extremely unsettling. Mesa School District officials emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors on school premises, and called for everyone to take responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.

The Mesa Police Department is still investigating the incident and the motive behind the attack. The judge has ordered Marquez not to return to the bus stop. No students were injured during the assault, but up to 11 children witnessed the incident. The school district has not released the video footage of the attack due to the ongoing investigation.

Key Takeaways

• 27-year-old mother arrested for assaulting 64-year-old school bus driver
• Incident occurred after driver made statements about mother's daughter
• Assault captured on bus surveillance, left driver visibly upset and injured
• Mother charged with felony aggravated assault, was on probation for prior incident
• Incident raises concerns about safety of school staff and students on buses