Former MCPS bus driver now accused of sexually abusing 4 students

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — A former Montgomery County Schools bus driver is now accused of sexually abusing four children on his bus route.

Investigators say all four victims were special education students.

It was early August when families with kids in Montgomery County Public Schools first learned that Etienne Kabongo had been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old with special needs on board his bus.

Now, with just three days to go before students return to the classroom, a new letter from the school district says that little girl was not Kabongo's only victim.

"It's upsetting that someone we trusted to take our kids to school would do something like that," said parent Arsha Penaloza.

Montgomery County Police say the investigation has revealed Kabongo targeted three additional children who rode his bus.

It’s believed all four victims came into contact with Kabongo on his bus route between May and July of 2018.

This week, he was indicted on 14 counts of sexual abuse.

"That's why my wife and I, we decided this year our daughter's not going to take the bus anymore," said parent Hugo Torres. “We are worried about it.”

That fear is something ABC 7 heard from several parents, even though Kabongo remains behind bars, and has been fired by Montgomery County Public Schools.

“It just makes you more aware that this can happen anywhere,” said Penaloza. “It’s scary. You don’t know if a teacher or a counselor or anyone in the school may do something or have those intentions. So it does make you wary.”

A spokesperson for the school district said Kabongo was officially terminated on August 27, though he was placed on leave in early August when the Montgomery County Public Schools first learned of the allegations against him.

Kabongo had worked for MCPS since 2006 as a bus operator.

The list of schools where he served can be found here.

MCPS has set up a dedicated response telephone line for parents with questions regarding Kabongo. That phone number is: 240-740-3214.

Anyone who thinks their child may be a victim of Kabongo should contact the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.

Students go back to school in Montgomery County on September 4.