A Mat-Su school bus attendant sexually abused a girl Tuesday on the way to an elementary school, according to charges filed against him.
A spokesman for Durham School Services, which is contracted to provide busing to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, said 59-year-old Matini Siataga of Wasilla has been fired.
The girl reported to family that Siataga had inappropriately touched her on the way to school, according to a sworn affidavit written by Investigator Sherry Ferno of the Alaska State Troopers. The abuse was reported by the family to the school principal the next morning, the affidavit said. School officials contacted law enforcement after they were made aware of the abuse, according to Jillian Morrissey, a spokeswoman for the school district.
The affidavit said troopers were contacted by a supervisor at Durham School Services on Wednesday afternoon about the suspected abuse. The incident was captured on video by cameras installed on the bus, according to the affidavit.
A spokesman for the bus company did not answer additional questions about the situation Thursday but provided a brief statement that said Siataga’s employment had been terminated and the company is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
The Anchorage Daily News is not naming the school at the request of the district and to protect the victim. The involved school would send a message to families Friday afternoon, Morrissey said.
Officials from the school district and the bus company have not said whether they believe there are additional victims.
This is the first year that Durham School Services has provided busing to Mat-Su.
Siataga was charged with second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and is being held at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, according to troopers.