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Brian Fitzgerald: Colorado bus driver faces 30 counts of child abuse after slamming brakes on purpose

61-year-old Brian Fitzgerald turned a bus ride home for the students from Castle Rock Elementary School into a messed-up and teachable moment

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO: A school bus driver in Colorado reportedly lost his job after he was caught on camera hitting the brakes, which sent elementary school students flying into the seats in front of them. Several counts of child abuse have been filed against the bus driver, Brian Fitzgerald, as a result of the malicious incident.

The 61-year-old Fitzgerald turned a bus ride home for the students from Castle Rock Elementary School into a messed-up and teachable moment, as caught on the security footage. On Wednesday, March 1, Fitzgerald educates the students the importance of remaining seated while driving through the Denver area. In a video given to Fox News by the Douglas County School District, Fitzgerald is heard saying, "You guys need to be in your seats. You guys want to see how dangerous that is?"

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What are the charges against Brian Fitzgerald?

Fitzgerald then appears to slam on the bus brakes as the children tumble forward and grumble. He says, "Do you get that? That is why you need to be in your seat. Turn around and sit down properly. If you guys can't do that, you will get written up, do you get that?"

One of the students is heard asking, "Why is he doing -- did he do that?" Fitzgerald apparently lost his job with the district and is now facing 29 counts of child abuse-knowing/reckless-no injury and one count of child abuse-knowing/reckless-bodily injury. He is expected to appear in court on Friday, May 12.

'The behavior and actions of this bus driver are completely unacceptable'

District spokesperson claimed that the footage was "incredibly difficult to watch," according to Fox News. Paula Hans said in a statement, "Riding a bus to and from school should be a happy, enjoyable experience for students. The behavior and actions of this bus driver are completely unacceptable."

Hans added, "We are so grateful to the parents and the principal who reported this incident, allowing us to take swift action and ensure this driver was never again allowed behind the wheel of a DCSD bus."

'He could have handled it better'

Many have reacted to the incident on Twitter, with one person writing, "As a bus parent, I've seen all kinds of poor decisions by drivers/matrons, He could have handled it better." Another person wrote, "I am on the bus drivers side. No kids seriously hurt and I bet they learned their lesson. What a waste of taxpayer dollars to charge this man."

A third person wrote, "For all of you saying this was a good lesson... remember... your kids are buckled. These kids are not." The other person wrote, "Their school bus doesn't have seat belts!" One person wrote, "There needs to be another adult that can supervise the children on the bus, so the bus driver can focus on driving the bus. The person driving the bus can't do it all."

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