Bensalem bus aide charged with assaulting student with special needs

BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- A school bus aide has been charged after investigators say he repeatedly inappropriately touched a 14-year-old special needs student while she was riding a school bus to Bensalem High School's extended school year program.

Police believe there could be additional victims.

Ali Khan, 62, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors and two counts of indecent assault. Police said the alleged assaults occurred over two days last week while other children were also on the bus.

"What we saw was a predator, " said William McVey, Director of Public Safety. "What we saw was inexcusable."

According to police, the girl's parents contacted the department Thursday after learning about the alleged assault. Detectives then reviewed surveillance video from that day and the previous day, July 29.

"We're just very proud that she came forward, that she told her parents. That was very courageous of her," McVey said.

Investigators said the video showed the student being directed to sit next to Khan. Police allege Khan draped his body over the girl while securing her seat belt.

"She's basically forced into a seat next to this 62-year-old man. He then drapes his body on top of her while he's trying to attach her seatbelt, laying basically on top of her for an extended period of time," said McVey.

After the student was secured, police said Khan repeatedly rubbed the girl's leg and inner thigh. Investigators said the student tried to close her legs and placed her hands in her lap, but Khan allegedly continued pulling her legs apart and touching her.

"It's just despicable conduct, and while he's doing a lot of this, he has his cell phone out, and he's videoing the actions that he's doing, and at one point he actually has his hands down his pants in his private area," McVey said.

The school district said it immediately removed Khan from service after learning of the allegations.

"I would ask any parent who had children on a bus for the summer programs to look at the picture of Mr. Khan, see if he was an aide on your kid's bus and talk to them," said McVey.

Detectives said they are reviewing surveillance video from other bus rides throughout the summer to determine whether there are additional victims.

Bail was set at $500,000, and Khan remained in custody as of Monday night. Police asked anyone with information to contact the department.