School Bus Driver Arrested for Child Rape

Lawrence County, Ohio Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Rock Hill School District bus driver for raping a child last week. The sheriff’s office said it learned about the alleged crime back on August 20. The mother of a young girl alerted law enforcement to some disturbing allegations. She said Larry D. Reed, of Pedro, Ohio, had inappropriately touched her daughter at his home on County Road 4.

In addition to the assault on her child, the woman said her daughter’s friend confided that Reed had molested her as well. According to the girl, the assaults had occurred multiple times over the past four or five years. She said all of the acts took place at his home.

Lawrence County deputies and investigators immediately went to work looking into these accusations. Law enforcement officials conducted emergency interviews with both girls.

During the interviews, the 14 and 15-year-old victims revealed that Reed, 38, assaulted them both. Investigators said Reed touched the 15-year-old victim inappropriately on one occasion. Reed subjected the 14-year-old girl to multiple assaults over a period of several years.

Investigators said that when they confronted Reed, he admitted the accusations were true. Investigators placed Reed under arrest for rape and took him to the Lawrence County Jail. Reed waived a preliminary hearing in Ironton Municipal Court. The court-appointed a public defender. The court bound Reed over to the grand jury for charges.

Employment Terminated

The Rock Hill School District in Ironton, Ohio employs Larry Reed, Jr. as a bus driver with the Rock Hill School District. Officials said he had not yet started work this school year. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the alleged assaults occurred at Reed’s home in Pedro and were not connected to the school.

The Rock Hill School Board held a meeting on August 24 and addressed Mr. Reed’s employment. Officials said that they notified Reed about a disciplinary hearing and also contacted his union rep. After reviewing the evidence, the superintendent recommended immediately terminating his contract. The school board unanimously agreed, firing Reed for just cause, criminal activity, dishonesty, and immoral conduct.

They voted to send a written notice of termination to his home, the Lawrence County Jail, and Reed’s union representative. The board also barred Reed from school property and school functions until further notice.