Bus driver Virene Poliquin attacked disabled children: Cops
Virene Poliquin, Hudson Police Department (NH)
A 68-year-old New Hampshire woman is unemployed and faces charges several weeks after she committed “troubling” assaults on young students with disabilities, police said.
Hudson Police Chief Tad Dionne said during a publicly broadcast news conference Tuesday that the suspect in the Feb. 17 attacks on 5- and 6-year-old schoolchildren with disabilities is Virene Poliquin, a local resident.
Dionne said evidence in the case will show Poliquin assaulted three students with disabilities in various ways. The suspect was caught on video and audio punching, kicking, grabbing, covering a victim’s mouth with one hand and pouring water over a victim, authorities said. While one student was attacked seven times, two other students were attacked once, Dionne continued. He said the victims were not injured.
“I want to tell you that I’ve been a police officer for a long time. Needless to say, there aren’t too many events that make me pause in reviewing the case. This incident did it,” the police chief said. “The victims in this case are among our most vulnerable. Poliquin’s actions are totally unacceptable, disturbing and legally unjustified.”
As a result, Poliquin now faces nine simple assault charges.
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When asked by a reporter about reviewing audio and video footage of the alleged assaults, the chief did not elaborate on what he heard and saw. However, the veteran law enforcement officer said he was shaken by the “disturbing” evidence.
“When I told you I was disturbed, that’s exactly what it is,” Dionne repeated. “Like I said, I’ve been doing this for a long time. You can probably tell by my gray hair. I’ve been doing this for a long time, and unfortunately there isn’t much that bothers me. That was very worrying for me.”
Dionne said the bus stopped several times and that after school, the kids went home on the bus. Not all children attend the same school, but all attend school in the same district, officials confirmed.
The Headmaster was welcomed at the press conference by Dr. Hudson School District Superintendent Dan Moulis.
Moulis confirmed the bus driver is no longer employed, but said she has worked with Durham School Services – a contract provider the district has used to transport students with disabilities – since 2017.
“The driver’s actions were wrong and violate the trust of our students and our parents,” Moulis said.
Police Chief Dionne found the defendant had posted $500 bail. Poliquin’s assault charge is currently scheduled for April 6.
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/bus-driver-allegedly-caught-on-very-disturbing-video-slapping-and-kicking-young-children-with-disabilities-on-way-home-from-school/ Bus driver Virene Poliquin attacked disabled children: Cops
