© 2023 WOSU Public Media
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Two former Columbus City Schools employees charged with misdemeanor assault

WOSU

Two former Columbus City Schools employees face misdemeanor assault charges for an incident last year involving a child riding the bus.

Court documents allege that 69-year old Mona Smith, an intervention aide, was video recorded last November grabbing and pushing a child into a seat, busting their lip. The bus driver, 44-year old Nikita Pickett, was also charged in the incident. Both will be arraigned on charges Monday in Franklin County Municipal Court.

A Columbus City Schools spokeswoman responded with an emailed statement that read, "The District investigated the allegations and subsequent hearing. Ms. Smith and Ms. Pickett are no longer employed with the District."

Debbie Holmes began her career in broadcasting in Columbus after graduating from The Ohio State University. She left the Buckeye state to pursue a career in television news and worked as a reporter and anchor in Moline, Illinois and Memphis, Tennessee.