Qualls

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RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

A Lawrence County woman was arrested Friday after a school bus driver reported that she assaulted him and a child on the bus.

According to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairland School Bus No. 46 was making its regular pickup at 3840 County Road 12 in Proctorville, Ohio, when the driver was confronted by Jamie Qualls, age 30. Qualls reportedly entered the bus and began cursing at the bus driver, claiming he was about to leave her children behind. The driver said he was not about to leave them, as Qualls began yelling profanities at him. The driver advised her to leave the bus, at which point Qualls reportedly struck the driver twice in the face with her hands.

The driver began to radio for assistance, and that’s when the sheriff said Qualls grabbed the microphone away from him and struck the driver again while continuing to shout profanities. Then, the sheriff reports, Qualls turned her attention to a 10-year-old boy sitting near the front of the bus, and began cursing at him also and then struck the child in the face with her open hand.

The driver was able to remove Qualls from the bus and he left the scene and radioed for help.

“I reviewed the film from the bus and was shocked at Mrs. Qualls actions,” Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said.

Qualls was arrested on one charge of felonious assault, a fifth-degree felony, and one charge of assault on the minor, a first-degree misdemeanor. The situation remains under investigation and Lawless said further charges will be considered after he meets with the prosecutor’s office.

Fairland School Superintendent Roni Hayes did not returns calls seeking comment on Friday.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.