A Delaware County School District reacted Tuesday to the arrest of one its bus drivers accused of trying to abduct a 10-year-old girl.
On Sunday around 3 p.m., police arrested Gregory Cornell, 37, while he was driving his car on 9th Street in Upland. Investigators say Cornell tried to lure a young girl into his car but the girl ran away and told her mother who alerted police. Police say the girl’s description led them to Cornell.
When police arrested him, Cornell allegedly had 154 bags of heroin in his car, one bag of crack cocaine, nearly $1,000 in cash and an inflatable sex toy pillow. Cornell drove a bus for Sun Valley, Coburn and Holy Family schools, according to district officials.
Officials with the Penn Delaware County School District told NBC10 that Cornell started driving for the district about a year and a half ago. The district’s attorney, Michael Puppio, claims Penn Delco followed the law and took every safety precaution before hiring Cornell. He also claims there were no red flags during his employment or signs that would have indicated there might be a problem.
“The district did not miss a thing,” said Puppio. “Not one student or parent even complained about him.”
Cornell was suspended without pay with intent to dismiss. Police say Cornell remained in jail on a $150,000 bond.
