Hillsborough County bus aide caught on camera abusing child with autism while driver laughs : HCSO

TAMPA, Fla. - A Hillsborough County bus aide and driver are facing charges after investigators say they were captured on camera abusing a child with autism.

What we know:

Deputies began investigating the incident on November 14, 2025, after a witness reported seeing a school bus aide strike the 10-year-old victim while on a Hillsborough County Public Schools bus parked at Caminiti Exceptional School.

Investigators said the victim has autism, ADHD and is minimally verbal.

READ: LALA restaurant and bar owner accused of having child pornography

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, detectives looked at the video on November 18, 2025, and saw Juanita Wright, 79, repeatedly abusing the child.

Bus driver abuses child with autism: HCSO

Hillsborough County deputies have arrested a school bus aide and a driver after they say a child with autism was abused. Warning – The video may be difficult for some viewers to watch. 

The video, according to HCSO, also captured Wright and the bus driver, Tonya Rice-Constant, 62, laughing during the abuse.

Dig deeper:

On December 23, 2025, detectives reviewed additional video footage and said they found 13 additional days between October 2, 2025, and November 14, 2025, in which Wright was observed abusing the child.

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

On January 26, 2026, Wright was charged with 14 counts of child abuse and Rice-Constant was charged with failure to report child abuse.

READ: Corrections officer arrested for allegedly assaulting inmate being treated at hospital

What they're saying:

"This case goes far beyond abuse. It reveals a level of cruelty that is deeply disturbing," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "A defenseless child was physically abused by someone entrusted with their care, while another adult failed to intervene and instead laughed. It is an inexcusable betrayal of trust and a profound lack of humanity when adults who are supposed to protect a child not only inflict harm, but also allow it to happen. In Hillsborough County, this kind of conduct will be met with the full force of the law."