PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Bensalem school bus aide is accused of fondling a special needs child and taking inappropriate videos and photos of her during the bus ride.
Bensalem Public Safety Director William McVey said a 14-year-old enrolled in Bensalem High School’s extended school year program told her parents that 62-year-old Ali Khan was inappropriately touching her during the bus ride to school last week.
The district then gave police access to video from inside the bus.
“What we saw was disgusting. We saw a 62-year-old man, Ali Khan, force a little 14-year-old girl to sit directly next to him, and then drape his body on top of her for an extended period of time as she fixed her seatbelt,” McVey said. Officials said she did not need help with her seatbelt, but he insisted she did.
The affidavit of probable cause states that Khan was seen repeatedly putting his hand down his pants, and it states he pulled her legs apart and rubbed her upper thigh. He also dropped a pen on the floor, then pointed his phone between her legs as though he was taking a photo or video.
Khan is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor and two counts of indecent assault.
McVey credits the courage of the 14-year-old for coming forward, and Bensalem School District for immediately suspending Khan and cooperating with police.
“Khan's actions were a complete violation of public trust, and had it not been for this little 14-year-old girl, he would probably have continued either to assault her or others. So she's a very brave young lady and deserves credit for putting an end to this conduct.”
He asks parents to look at the photo of Khan and talk to their children if they may have had contact with him.
The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority," said Bensalem Interim Superintendent Victoria Velazquez in a statement. "Whenever concerns involving student safety are brought to our attention, we act immediately to protect students, support families, and cooperate fully with law enforcement. We are committed to conducting a thorough administrative review while respecting the integrity of the criminal investigation. The district is fully cooperating with the Bensalem Township Police Department and will continue to assist law enforcement as requested. The district will also continue its own administrative investigation in accordance with Board policy, district procedures, and applicable law.
