New York

School Bus Matron Allegedly Grabbed 11-Year-Old Boy by Throat

A school bus matron was arrested for allegedly grabbing the throat of an 11-year-old Bronx boy, scratching him and pushing him into his seat, leaving him with scrapes on his arms and a red ring around his neck, according to court documents and authorities familiar with the case.

Melanie Evans, 35, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the Jan. 15 attack on the boy aboard a moving bus near Webster and Tremont avenues after school.

Photos obtained by NBC 4 New York (above) show redness around the boy's neck and cuts on his arm.

According to a criminal complaint, Evans, who is not an employee with the city's Department of Education, allegedly told the boy loudly to sit down in his seat, then put her hand around his neck and squeezed, causing him to have trouble breathing. The boy told authorities he put his arm up in self-defense and the bus matron scratched him, the complaint says.

Evans was arraigned Wednesday on charges of criminal obstruction of breathing and acting in a manner injurious to a child. Information on an attorney for her wasn't immediately available and it wasn't clear if she entered a plea.

She will not be allowed to work with the education department in any capacity pending the outcome of the investigation.

"This alleged behavior is alarming. While Ms. Evans is not a DOE employee, she has been removed from her position and will no longer be a bus matron," DOE spokeswoman Devora Kaye said. 

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