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Angry School Bus Dad “Woke America Up” to Bullying
Let's End School Bullying
Remember James Jones, the Florida father who confronted his daughters’ bullies on a school bus in September?
To some folks, he was just responding to bullying with bullying and to others, he was a hero for standing up for his 12-year-old daughter who has cerebral palsy.
Jones, who was arrested for disorderly conduct and disrupting a school activity, has reached a plea agreement that will keep him out of jail, CBS News’ “The Early Show” reports.
Back in September, Jones confronted the middle school students who had allegedly been bullying his daughter. They had reportedly taunted her, spit on her, hit her and even threw condoms at her.
Jones lost his temper and used foul language, saying “I’m gonna (expletive) you up.…this is my daughter, and I will kill the (expletive) who fought her.”
He then told the bus driver, “If anything happens to my daughter I’m going to (expletive) you up and everybody on this (expletive).”
Instead of jail, Jones, who is mandated to attend anger management classes, was sentenced with probation, a $1,300 fine, and community service. If his case had gone to trial and he had been convicted, Jones faced up to four months in jail.
“I don’t ask nobody to go on a bus and use the language that I used in front of children. I’d like to apologize,” Jones said after the incident.
Although he’s sorry about his behavior, Jones told “Early Show” co-anchor Harry Smith that his actions drew attention to the problem of bullying.
“I wish I could take (it) back, but, at the same time, we woke America up,” Jones said. “Behind the closed doors, we don’t know about the bullying, but, you know, now that it’s out in the forefront, we’re on a mission, at least I’m on a mission. I don’t know what America’s going to do but I’m on a mission.”
He has learned not to use anger to address bullying. ”I was a bully at the same time, and I don’t want to promote bullying. … I should have handled it another way but, at the same time, to see my daughter was going to be in the situation, it was not going to be healthy for her.”
Jones’ daughter, who was on suicide watch after the incident, is now being homeschooled.
Jones said he hopes the situation draws attention to the problem of bullying.
“My heart goes out to all the parents that have to deal with bullies and the parents who have a bully in their household. And everybody needs to be aware of this,” he said, adding that he hasn’t heard from the parents of any of the alleged bullies, who harassed his daughter.
Jones hopes that his experience will help inspire others. ”I learned that, you know, if one person can spark a fire then we know we can get people to be aware of what’s going on out here.”
Meanwhile, there’s no news on whether Jones’ daughter’s bullies are being prosecuted.
Do you think Jones is a hero? Is his sentence fair?
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11 Comments
Andrew commented on Nov 10 10 at 12:53 pmthis dude should get a nobel peace prize
shanna commented on Nov 10 10 at 1:41 pmI just watched the interview harry smith had with james jones on this story, and for harry to try and get james to say what he did was wrong, is WRONG! That’s EXACTLY what these bullies need! he didn’t hit anyone, he didn’t touch anyone, and I bet those kids will leave his daughter alone. I would do the same exact thing if someone was bullying my child. Harry’s way of controlling bullies is by calmly telling the kids to leave the child alone, for fear that he might scare the bullies. well, that’s crap! I praise james jones for what he did!
bob commented on Nov 10 10 at 2:36 pmThere is an annoying echo in here.
There is an annoying echo in here.
paulabernstein commented on Nov 10 10 at 2:48 pmNot sure what your point is, Bob. This story is the update on my previous story — the news here is that he was sentenced.
paulabernstein commented on Nov 10 10 at 2:49 pmOr rather, that he wasn’t sentenced. He reached a plea agreement. And he apologized for his actions (sort of).
Shane commented on Nov 10 10 at 2:57 pmWe have so many hypocrites in this country begging fathers to take an interest in their children. We have a MAN who did just that. He tried to protect his little girl when the public school officials wouldn’t. So, our legal system is PUNISHING this man? He deserves a “father of the year” medal! Now, how can we get a fundraiser started to help this father pay his fine?
bob commented on Nov 10 10 at 3:05 pmSorry, Paula. I was reacting to the comments, not your update.
Michael Sweeney commented on Nov 10 10 at 3:42 pmComments The real news 1) The School District did ZERO about the bullying of a girl who had Cerebral Palsy, even after her father begged them to handle the situation, and NO ONE from the School District is being held accountable for their deliberate neglect of this situation which forced this father to act to protect his daughter; 2) The Bullies who assaulted and battered this poor girl have never been charged for their criminal conduct; and 3) The Father is now out of pocket not only for the fine, but for the costs of his daughter’s education. Some lesson for the parents of Disabled Children! So, When is this overzealous Prosecutor going to go after the Bullies and their parents and the people in charge of the School District who refused to protect this girl from that gang??
paulabernstein commented on Nov 10 10 at 5:11 pmPhew, Bob. I was worried that I did something to offend you!
bob commented on Nov 11 10 at 8:47 amThen, I’m doubly sorry.
Marj commented on Nov 11 10 at 11:18 amHe’s a man who was at the end of his rope defending his child. I don’t blame him, but have a lot of respect for him that he admits that he maybe went about it the wrong way.
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