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Delaware County School Bus Driver Facing Endangerment Charges

DARBY, Pa. (CBS/AP) — A school bus driver has been arrested after police said he ordered elementary school children — some as young as 5 — to get off his bus, blocks away from their stops.

Darby police Chief Robert Smythe said Tuesday that 55-year-old Wesner Laventure of Sharon Hill is facing charges of child endangerment and reckless endangerment.

A concerned mother contacted authorities Monday afternoon after her 5-year-old son wasn't dropped off at the bus stop.

Authorities soon discovered at least 17 children, ranging in age from 5 to 12, were forced off the bus and many didn't know where they were.

CBS 3 spoke with the father of a student who was let off the bus before her stop.

"It's upsetting because I want to make sure my child is alright. She's getting to school safely and getting home safely. So when something like this happens, I worry about it," he said.

Smythe said Laventure isn't the regular bus driver and was running late and couldn't find some bus stops along his route, so he stopped and told the kids to get off.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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