A recently filed lawsuit details disturbing allegations of abuse of a child with special needs, and non-verbal, by a bus monitor in Lansingburgh. The 61-year-old Kathy Retos is accused of punching the child and using racial slurs when talking to her.
The family who filed this lawsuit says there’s blame to go around.
A 50-page complaint details three incidents of abuse the child’s mother says significantly changed her demeanor and that she now suffers from anxiety and depression. The Wagoner Firm is representing the family and says this all could’ve been prevented.
They accuse Retos of punching the child on at least three occasions late last year, and using racial slurs when talking to her. The child rode to school on a Lansingburgh Central School District bus operated by the company Bernie Bus.
Retos was eventually arrested by State Police back in January and charged with endangerment. The lawsuit filed in Albany County Court also claims the school didn't inform the child's mother in a timely way, retaliated against whistle-blowers, and tried to cover up the abuse.
"The people who ended up reporting this, the two bus drivers that witnessed the incident, were suspended and ultimately asked to resign by Bernie Bus Company, rather than being applauded for their efforts to make sure this didn't happen again. Ms. Retos wasn't allowed to continue on as a bus monitor for the bus company,” said Matt Wagoner, founder of the Wagoner Firm.
A criminal case against Retos is also pending in Albany County Court. Bernie Bus Service did not have much to say other than that Kathy Retos is no longer an employee. Lansingburgh Central School District declined to comment.
