Vienna police on March 18 responded to a verbal altercation at a school-bus stop between a Fairfax County Public Schools bus driver and a child’s parent.
The parent’s child had been injured on the bus while riding home from school, Vienna police said. Rescue personnel from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department transported the child to an area hospital for treatment at the family’s request. Authorities later determined that the 3-year-old special-needs child had suffered a severe head injury.
The Vienna Police Department, Fairfax County Child Protective Services and Fairfax County Public Schools launched independent follow-up investigations. With the cooperation of the school system, Vienna police concluded the bus driver and attendant had failed to provide proper care to the child.
In consultation commonwealth’s attorney, Vienna police detectives obtained warrants charging the bus driver – Rqia Tabite, 36, of Falls Church – and attendant – Teresa Wessells, 70, of Falls Church – with one count each of abuse and neglect of a child, a class 4 felony.
Vienna police obtained the warrants May 19 and the next day Fairfax County police took both suspects into custody and brought them before a magistrate. Authorities released both on unsecured bonds.
The child is not being identified at this time, but is at home with his family and receiving necessary treatment, Vienna police said.