An Indiana bus driver arrested for allowing students to drive a bus

An Indiana school bus driver is under arrest after students have filmed it, allowing the children to drive the bus.

Joandrea Dehaven McAtee, 27, was arrested Friday on charges of gross negligence against a dependent. A person may be charged with negligence of a dependent if a decision "places the dependent in a situation that endangers the life or health of the dependent", according to the laws of Indiana.

Police said McAtee allowed three students – an 11-year-old boy aged 13 and 17 – to drive the short-distance school bus Thursday in rural Valparaiso, Indiana. There were other students on the bus at the time, some of whom recorded the incident.

"First of all, what you need to do is put your foot on the brake," the driver, identified by the authorities as McAtee, said in a video.

The student who filmed the video said that it was a college student who was driving.

McAtee was immediately fired by First Student, the company that operates buses in Porter Township, after the video and allegations came out.

"We are incredibly disappointed by the actions of our former driver," said First Student in a statement to ABC News. "There is nothing more important than the safety of the students we transport, such behavior is totally unacceptable and totally at odds with what we represent as a company." The driver was fired. We have a zero tolerance policy for employees whose actions may harm or put others at risk. "

Porter County Sheriff's Office

Porter Township School Corporation stated that both students and parents reported the conduct to the school principal and that his investigation was "quickly substantiated," which McAtee allowed the students to drive.

"After receiving information about this incident, the PTSC administration, the first student (our bus service provider) and the Porter County Sheriff's Department immediately opened an investigation," the canton said in a statement. . "The investigation quickly corroborated the allegations and the driver was relieved of all the tasks involving Porter Township School Corporation.The Porter School School School is angry and disappointed by the actions of this driver.The safety of our students is an absolute priority.

"The actions of this person do not reflect the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our staff," the statement said. "We are grateful to the students and parents who promptly shared this information with PTSC administration and police, which allowed us to react quickly and take appropriate measures to ensure student safety. "

The only previous McAtee arrest in the state was a speeding ticket in his own vehicle in New Chicago, Indiana, in February 2017 for driving 54 mph in an area of ​​35 mph, according to the archives. of the court. She was found guilty and paid the fine that resulted.

ABC News & # 39; Alyssa Acquavella, Cammeron Parrish and Brendan Rand contributed to this report.