By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — St. John Parish Schools and Sheriff Office are investigating whether or not a substitute bus driver man-handled a 6-year old boy.

Maj. Mike Tregre, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said the boy’s mother contacted the Sheriff’s Office Thursday night.

&#8220The parent called around 8 p.m. complaining that the bus driver grabbed her son by his shirt collar and threw him down in the seat,” Tregre said.

Tregre said the mother filed the report after contacting Superintendent Michael Coburn, and he suggested filing an official report.

&#8220We ask the mother to follow the same procedures as anything else,” Coburn said. &#8220Usually when something like this happens the employee would be placed on suspension with pay, but this was a substitute driver, so she will not be able to drive until the issue is resolved.”

Coburn said statements from the driver and the mother have been taken, and they are in the process of getting statements from students on the bus.

Tregre said no arrests have been made or charges filed at this time.