Ex-Coast bus driver who assaulted disabled girl wants out of jail over coronavirus
A former St. Martin Middle School bus driver convicted of assaulting a disabled girl on a school bus wants out of jail to serve the remainder of her jail time under house arrest due to the novel coronavirus.
Antioinette Jane Raymond, 59, was booked into the Jackson County jail on March 31 to start serving her 90-day sentence following her conviction on misdemeanor charges of contributing to the abuse of a child and simple assault.
As of April 29, Raymond,had served 30 days of her sentence but has “suffered many severe health issues” since then, court papers filed by her attorney, Keith Pisarich said.
As a result, the records say, Raymond lost about 20 pounds in the first two weeks she was in custody.
Due to her “weakened physical condition,” Raymond believes she is more vulnerable to “infections, viruses and diseases,” and says it would be in the best interest of all involved for her to serve the remainder of her sentence under house arrest.
Judge Robert Krebs, who presided over the trial and imposed the sentence, has not issued a ruling and Raymond remained jailed Friday.
A conviction
A jury convicted Raymond on the misdemeanor charges after hearing evidence in the case, which included bus video of the attacks on the student.
Raymond and former St. Martin special education teacher, Kerri Ann Nettles, were both convicted of misdemeanor charges for the Jan. 6, 2015, assault.
Nettles, who pleaded no contest to the charges, received a suspended jail sentence that did not require her to serve any time in jail. Her sentence was handed down before the Sun Herald did an exclusive report on the assault complete that included surveillance video footage.
Raymond’s case was still pending and a jury later convicted her of the crimes earlier this year.
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
