Littleton Public School paraprofessional accused of assaulting a child with disabilities

A former Littleton Public Schools paraprofessional, who assisted students with disabilities on their bus to and from school, is facing an assault charge for allegedly harming a student on that bus.

Kiarra Jones, 28, was charged with Crimes Against At-Risk Adult/Juvenile – Third Degree Assault in early April, Englewood police said in an April 9 press release.

“On March 28, 2024, the Littleton Police Department contacted the Englewood Police Department regarding a report of child abuse that occurred within the jurisdiction of the City of Englewood,” the release reads. “The incident was initially reported to the Littleton Police Department because the victim is a student within the Littleton Public School District.”

The Englewood Police Criminal Investigations Bureau investigated the case and “determined that more than one non-verbal autistic student was assaulted by the suspect on a moving school bus while en route to school,” the release said.

“It was also determined that the suspect was the victims’ assigned paraprofessional employed by Littleton Public School District at the time of the incident,” the police said.

A press release from law firm Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC shows three families have hired lawyers from the firm to represent them “concerning the mistreatment their children endured.”

“The affected children, all with severe autism and non-verbal communication, relied on caregivers for their basic needs,” the release reads.

The law firm’s press release also states “over the past six months, they suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of an LPS bus aide. Due to their inability to communicate verbally, the victims couldn’t disclose the abuse they endured.”

Video footage from March 18 shows Jones on a bus with a student whom she appears to be striking multiple times.

Englewood detectives have and will continue to review “an extensive amount of media and video content and additional evidence to ensure that any and all victims and crimes are identified,” the Englewood police press release said.

Jones was arraigned on April 5 and bonded out on a $5,000 bond. Eric Ross, public information officer for the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, said a preliminary hearing is set for Jones on May 5.

“Conditions of bond include not leaving the State of Colorado and she must comply with a mandatory protection order,” Ross said.

In a letter the district sent on April 5 to the “families of LPS students who ride bus L76 to the Joshua School,” Littleton Public Schools said Jones was hired in August of 2023 “after satisfactory reference checks and after passing a thorough background check.”

“She had very limited access to students during her employment with LPS,” the letter continued. “She has had no contact with students since March 19, the day her employment was terminated.”

The Joshua School is a private facility in northeast Englewood for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Englewood police encourage people to reach out if they possess any information regarding this case or need to report any related crimes. They can contact the non-emergency number at 303-761-7410.

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