N.H. school bus driver accused of stalking and harassing 8-year-old boy
08/10/2022 11:33 am PDT
CONCORD, N.H. (TCD) -- A 39-year-old school bus driver has been charged for reportedly stalking and harassing an 8-year-old boy.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, Michael Chick, a school bus driver for Greenland Central School in Greenland, New Hampshire, allegedly threatened a child from the school. Chick also reportedly threatened the child’s family and even traveled from Maine to New Hampshire to make threats.
According to an affidavit obtained by WMUR-TV, the victim was on Chick’s bus route, and Chick initially gave the child gifts, such as candy and a get-well card, before the alleged inappropriate contact escalated.
The investigation into allegations against Chick reportedly began in April.
Chick eventually asked to come to the child’s Little League game, and the boy’s parents reported it to the school district, WMUR reports. Then, in July, the child’s parents found cellphones Chick had given to their son.
During a search, authorities found captured threats through call logs and bus surveillance video and audio, according to WMUR. Chick reportedly asked the boy to take photos of himself and send them to him, threatening to have a gang kill his family if the boy didn’t obey his commands.
Authorities also reportedly found a "buttonhole-style" surveillance camera, tracking devices, a large baggie of children’s underwear, and handwritten notes to the boy on how to take the photos he requested, including what to wear and how to pose.
According to the Attorney’s Office, Chick was arrested on Friday, Aug. 5, in Maine, and on Aug. 8, Chick was charged with interstate stalking.
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