A Bensalem school bus aide has been accused of inappropriately touching a Bensalem High School student with special needs.
The parents of a 14-year-old student contacted police July 30 who reported that Ali Khan, 62, allegedly molested their daughter earlier that day while the bus was taking her to an extended school year program at the high school, according to a Bensalem police press release.
Investigators obtained camera footage inside the bus allegedly showing Khan molested the girl "numerous times" on July 29 and July 30, the release said.
Khan initially directed the girl to sit in a specific seat. Once seated, Khan immediately draped his body across the girl while securing her seatbelt and was recorded "inappropriately touching her for an extended
period of time," the police allege.
After the girl was secured, Khan was observed repeatedly rubbing her leg and inner thigh area, police said. The girl attempted to close her legs and place her hands in her lap, but Khan continued to pull her legs apart and touch her, police said.
During the encounter, Khan was allegedly holding a cellphone in his other hand and appeared to be recording videos and taking photographs of the juvenile. The school bus video footage also showed Khan placing his hand inside his pants and touching himself, police said.
Khan was arrested and arraigned before District Judge Gary Gambardella on four felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child and misdemeanor indecent assault.
He was transferred to Bucks County Correctional Center in lieu of $500,000 bail, and he did not have legal representation as of Aug. 3. according to the public court docket.
It was not immediately known how long Ali had worked for the school district and his current employment status.
This investigation is ongoing, and anyone who has any additional information regarding Khan or this incident is requested to contact Bensalem Police Detective Amal Yasin at 215-633-3726.
Crime and Courts Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at Jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem school bus aide accused of molesting special needs student
