HILLSBOROUGH — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two Hillsborough County Public Schools bus employees following a child abuse investigation involving a 10-year-old student.
Deputies began the investigation on November 14, 2025, after a witness reported seeing a school bus aide strike a child on a bus parked at Caminiti Exceptional School. The child is diagnosed with autism and ADHD and is minimally verbal.
On November 18, 2025, detectives reviewed bus video footage that showed Juanita Wright, 79, repeatedly abusing the child. The footage also showed Wright and the bus driver, Tonya Rice-Constant, 62, laughing during the incidents.
Investigators later reviewed additional video on December 23, 2025, identifying 13 more days between October 2 and November 14, 2025, in which Wright was observed abusing the child.
“This case goes far beyond abuse. It reveals a level of cruelty that is deeply disturbing,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “A defenseless child was physically abused by someone entrusted with their care, while another adult failed to intervene and instead laughed. It is an inexcusable betrayal of trust and a profound lack of humanity when adults who are supposed to protect a child not only inflict harm, but also allow it to happen. In Hillsborough County, this kind of conduct will be met with the full force of the law.”
On January 26, 2026, both suspects were arrested.
Charges filed:
Juanita Wright: Child Abuse (14 counts)
Tonya Rice-Constant: Failure to Report Child Abuse