MALTA — A 49-year-old Malta man is facing a misdemeanor charge after troopers say he tried to kiss a student he met while working as a bus driver for the Shenendehowa Central School District.
Donald R. Barnes Jr. was arrested Friday at his home and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, State Police said. He had allegedly tried to kiss the child — who is under the age of 17 and unrelated to him — on the mouth earlier that day.
The incident did not occur on the school district’s property or at a school-related event, troopers said.
A statement Tuesday from the Shenendehowa Central School District said it learned Saturday morning of the arrest of a district employee, who had worked for the district for 10 months during the school year with no summer hours
“In accordance with district procedures, the individual has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation,” the statement said.
Barnes was arraigned Saturday in Malta Town Court and is due back on Aug. 20, a court official said. An attorney was not yet listed for him. He was released on his own recognizance, according to State Police.