• School bus recordings reveal abuse after family suspicions
• Accused faces severe penalty with sentencing scheduled

A former school bus aide pleaded guilty to assaulting three nonverbal autistic students, preventing them from reporting the abuse.

Kiarra Jones, 30, admitted to 12 charges under a plea agreement, avoiding trial in a Denver suburb.

Prosecutors stated that the abuse came to light in 2024 after reviewing bus surveillance footage showing the students being harmed.

The case was uncovered when Jessica Vestal, mother of one child, requested school officials review the recordings to explain repeated injuries her then-10-year-old son suffered, including multiple bruises and a black eye.

Vestal and her husband, Devon, expressed ongoing concern over whether their son understands why it happened, affirming their commitment to support and reassure him, according to a statement from the law firm representing all three families.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office said Jones admitted to ten third-degree felony counts of assaulting an at-risk child and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse.

The accused faces up to 15 years in prison, with sentencing set for March 18.