A 62 year-old Bensalem school district bus aide has been charged with corruption of minors, child endangerment, indecent assault and related offenses for inappropriately touching a 14 year-old special needs student, authorities say.
On-call District Judge Gary Gambardella arraigned Ali Khan Friday night at around 8:40 p.m. on the charges setting bail at 10 percent of $500,000.00 and remanding him to the custody of Bucks County Correctional Facility.
According to court records and a press release from the Bensalem School District, authorities were contacted by the parents of the student regarding an incident that occurred on July 30 involving their daughter and Khan.
The Bensalem Township Police Department’s investigation revealed Khan from inappropriately touched the juvenile on numerous occasions on both July 29th, and July 30th, while on the bus en route to Bensalem High School’s extended school year program.
Investigators obtained CCTV footage from inside the bus that showed Khan directing the young student to a specific seat. Once seated, Khan immediately draped his body across her while securing her seatbelt and inappropriately touching her for an extended period of time, the criminal complaint alleges
After the student was secured, Khan was observed repeatedly rubbing her leg and her inner thigh area, police said.
The student attempted to close her legs and place her hands in her lap police said; however, Khan continued to pull her legs apart and inappropriately touch her.
During the encounter, Khan was holding a cellphone in his other hand and appeared to be recording videos and taking photographs of the student.
The CCTV footage from the bus, according to police, also showed Khan placing his hand inside his pants and allegedly touching himself.
Interim Superintendent Victoria Velazquez issued a statement to the media shortly before Khan’s arrest was made public.
“Effective immediately upon learning of the allegations, the employee was removed from service and district pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations,” she said.
School District employment information in regards to Khan was not released, by officials.
The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Whenever concerns involving student safety are brought to our attention, we act immediately to protect students, support families, and cooperate fully with law enforcement. We are committed to conducting a thorough administrative review while respecting the integrity of the criminal investigation, she said.
The school district, official said, will continue its own administrative investigation in accordance with Board policy, district procedures, and applicable law.
Bensalem Police, said the investigation is active and ongoing and and anyone who has any additional information regarding Khan or this incident is requested to contact Bensalem Police Detective Yasin at (215) 633-3726.
Confidential tips in regards to the investigation can be submitted through this link by clicking here.
Khan is due back in court on August 11 for a preliminary hearing and has no attorney of record listed as of publication time.
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