Update 7:22:
KIRO 7 News has identified the bus driver as Des Moines City Councilmember Jeanette Burrage. The councilmember has also worked as a King County Superior Court Judge.

The video of the incident has also gone viral. Burrage is seen struggling with the 6-year-old special needs student who then hits her. Burrage then slaps the child back in the face.

Burrage filed to run for re-election just two days ago. Supposedly Burrage will provide a comment to the media tomorrow.

Here is a link to the video: http://on.aol.com/video/bus-driver-accused-of-slapping-special-needs-st…

Original story:
The King County Sheriff’s Office announced through a press release on April 16 that a 62-year-old bus driver with the Highline School District has been charged with Assault in the 4th Degree after slapping a student.

On March 10 police and school security responded to an incident on the driver’s bus involving a 6-year-old special needs student. The student was observed standing on a seat and causing a disturbance on the surveillance footage. Responding school security officers escorted the child home and were unaware of an assault at the time.

After multiple reviews by school security and district officials it was discovered that at one point the bus driver had slapped the child in the face.

On March 18 school security officers reported their findings to the SeaTac police who partnered with the KCSO’s Special Assault Unit for their investigation. The Special Assault Unit specializes in handling investigations involving minors.

The driver has worked with the district since 2012 and is currently on administrative leave.