Rockland County, NY – A former school bus driver who was arrested on abuse charges this past summer has become the subject of a broader investigation and Ramapo Police, who believe that others were abused by the same individual, are asking other possible victims to come forward.
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Robert Cosenzo Sr. of Ackerman Avenue in Airmont was arrested on July1st and charged with Forcible Touching and Endangering the Welfare of a Child after allegedly having inappropriate contact with a 14 year old boy one day prior at the Suffern McDonalds on Route 59 and Hemion Road.
After Cosenzo’s arrest, another victim told investigators that he had also been abused by Consenzo in the summer of 1980. No charges were filed in this incident because the statute of limitations had already expired.
Cosenzo worked as school bus driver for the Ramapo Central School District from 2002 through 2007, primarily transporting special education students who lived in the district. Investigators suspect that Cosenzo may have abused others in previous years and are asking anyone who believes that they were victimized by Cosenzo to contact Detective Dennis Procter at the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.
When I was a child it was the norm for our russian bus drivers to abuse us. Physical and verbal abuse was the norm. I rembember my russain driver picking me up by my sleeve and throwing me to the ceiling for not behaving. Yes the other abuse was rare (although I suspect on occasions that may have occurred as well). Just pointing out what a differnet world we live in. Oh and they all smoked on the bus. And I am not that old!
Every bus should have a monitor. end of story!!!!
smoked on the bus? big deal my russian bus driver drank vodka and coffee mixed while driving
A bus teacher or bus rebbi is nothing more than a neccesity. Otherwise the bus driver becomes the czar and will by nature use force. A bus driver needs to have things in control and the circumstances-the kid far from home and is at the discretion of the driver to get him home naturally creates an environment which comforts the driver to use force to take care of bahavior problems on the bus. Unfortunately, this use of force easily may extend to abuse whether verbal or physical. We as parents need to vouch for our children’s safety and demand a bus teacher on each bus route.