UPDATED: Dec. 8, 1:30 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Montgomery County school bus aide is facing charges after authorities say he strangled a 6-year-old boy nearly two months ago.
According to prosecutors, 72-year-old MacArthur Wilson is in custody after a 6-year-old boy reported Wilson choked him on the school bus on Oct. 16, just a minute away from his stop.
Authorities say that account is backed up not only by scratches found on his neck and back — but also by surveillance video.
According to police, Wilson was seen on tape sitting next to the boy, who was struggling with his seatbelt.
Wilson was heard to say "Do you want me to choke you out?" to the boy four times. He then put his hands around the boy's neck for seven seconds, before being yelled at by the bus driver, who later reported the incident to her supervisors.
Wilson has been charged with strangulation, attempted simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and harassment.
His bail was set at $5,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9.