A Ewing School bus driver accused of exposing himself remains on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues, said the superintendent of the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Mary Ann Chamberlain said the driver, accused of exposing himself July 3 in the 500 block of Montgomery Street, will be fired if the allegation is shown to be true but the board plans to take no further action until the legal process is complete.
"I certainly want this to be cleared up and hope nothing is true, but we'll leave that up to the proper people," Chamberlain said. "We'll take action when the police finish their investigation."
Marietta police Capt. Jeff Waite said Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing and there have been no arrests.
"There's nothing new to report," he said.
Chamberlain said the alleged flashing was reported by a staff member at a group home. The bus had been transporting some of the board's adult consumers but they did not witness the incident, she said.
"Some of our adult consumers were there but they were not right in the area where it occurred," she said. "We questioned all of those able to communicate and they had no knowledge of it."
Chamberlain said all bus drivers and employees undergo background checks before being offered employment.
"They not only have a state (background check) but an FBI one as well," she said. "We scrutinize probably more than anyone else because of the people we serve."
The driver in question was not a longtime employee, Chamberlain said, and they haven't had any similar problems with employees before.
"The incidents we deal with are generally outsiders who are neglecting or abusing someone," she said.
The incident did not involve a Community Action Bus Lines bus driver, as was initially reported in The Marietta Times due to incorrect information provided by the Marietta Police Department.
Chamberlain said the affected Ewing bus routes, which are needed year-round due to adult programming, are being covered by substitute drivers until the investigation is complete.
