Summary: Kiarra Jones, a former Littleton Public Schools bus aide, pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor child abuse charges after bus surveillance showed repeated assaults on nonverbal students with autism. The abuse came to light when a parent noticed unexplained bruising and requested footage, which revealed repeated incidents dating to February 2024. Jones, who initially pleaded not guilty and was set for a five-day trial, faces up to 15 years in prison and will be sentenced on March 18.
Former Colorado Bus Aide Pleads Guilty After Surveillance Shows Repeated Abuse of Nonverbal Students
18th Judicial District Attorney's Office via APKiarra Jones
A former Littleton Public Schools bus aide, 30-year-old Kiarra Jones, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after surveillance footage showed she repeatedly assaulted nonverbal students with autism.
How the Abuse Was Discovered
The investigation began when a parent noticed unexplained bruising on her nonverbal son’s foot and asked school officials to review the bus surveillance footage. The district director reviewed the recordings and confirmed the child had been physically assaulted on the bus by Jones. Further review revealed the same student had been assaulted on multiple occasions dating back to February 2024.
David Zalubowski/APJessica Vestal and Devon Vestal speak during a news conference
Charges and Victims
Authorities say Jones assaulted three nonverbal students with autism. On Monday, she pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of third-degree assault of an at-risk child and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse. Jones had originally entered not-guilty pleas and was scheduled for a five-day criminal trial before reaching the plea agreement.
Family statement: 'Jones's underlying assaults were not just criminal, they were cruel. What was done to our son was not a mistake, not a lapse in judgment, and not an accident. It was blatant, cruel, and carried out without an ounce of humanity.'
Prosecutors and Next Steps
Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo said, 'These children could not speak for themselves, and it was our duty to stand up for them.' The guilty plea allows the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18 and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Resources
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline is toll-free, confidential, available 24/7, and offers assistance in more than 170 languages.
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