Parents Seek Answers Over Bus Monitor’s Arrest on Child Porn Charges

Several dozen concerned parents came into Monday night’s informational meeting about the arrest of a school bus monitor, armed with questions about how the 35-year-old man – charged with possession of child pornography – came to work in the district.

Parents were stunned to learn last week that Scott Sanford, a beloved bus monitor known for handing out candy and dog treats, had been one of 11 people arrested on child porn possession charges by the Rhode Island State Police in a sweep.

“The kids called him Mr. Smiley,” said Janet Giarusso, who has a child at Eldredge Elementary School. Giarusso and other parents also pointed out that Sanford lived in the same neighborhood as many families on his bus route.

Sanford has since been terminated by Ocean State Transit, the company that handles the East Greenwich School Department’s transportation. Sanford is being monitored by law enforcement and has been prohibited from using the Internet and coming into contact with anyone under 18.

“I’m appalled,” said Tony Murgo, president of Ocean State Transit. “I’m as angry as everyone in this room.”

Sanford had cleared the company’s Rhode Island background check upon hiring, according to the company’s officials. At Monday’s meeting, parents called for a stricter background check for school bus drivers and monitors. Murgo told parents he would begin nationwide background checks on all of its employees in the East Greenwich school district starting Tuesday. He also said the company would look to hire a third party to conduct stricter background checks in the future.

A representative for the State Police warned parents that even the most thorough background check may not be enough to weed out the bad eggs. The representative said that, based on her experience, the vast majority of those charged with child pornography possession have never had any contact with law enforcement and, therefore, no record of malfeasance. Sanford did not have a record in any state, said Murgo.

Sanford’s wife and mother-in-law, a bus driver and bus monitor, respectively, in East Greenwich, have been suspended by the company, pending investigation. What troubled parents more, however, was the suspension of the bus driver paired with Sanford on Bus 2. According to Murgo, the driver’s suspension came hours before Sanford’s arrest and was “completely unrelated.” Company and school officials would not comment on the nature of the driver’s firing or any additional information.

“It’s too coincidental that they were on the same bus,” said one parent.

Though most parents voiced their frustration and anger over the issue during the informational meeting, many took the time to provide suggestions to help the school district and Ocean State Transit avoid similar situations in the future. One parent suggested the creation and circulation code of conduct/behavior for bus drivers and monitors to help educate parents and students on what is acceptable behavior and what isn’t.

“I think it’s awesome that a bus monitor takes interest in our kids, but apparently it’s not awesome,” said another parent.