Teen Charged After Brutal School Bus Assault on 9-Year-Old Girl

Prosecutors in Miami-Dade have filed criminal battery charges against a 15-year-old boy accused of repeatedly punching a 9-year-old girl on a school bus, an incident captured on cellphone video and widely shared online.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced Tuesday that the case will be handled in juvenile court. The assault occurred on February 1 aboard a bus transporting students from Coconut Palm K-8 Academy in Homestead.

The video shows a verbal argument among students escalating into violence, with the teenage boy striking the younger girl multiple times in the head. A second student briefly joined in the attack. According to investigators, the teen admitted he assaulted the girl because she had argued with his brother.

Initially, the teen received a civil citation, but prosecutors later determined the punishment was insufficient given the severity of the violence. Fernandez Rundle said the footage made clear the attack went far beyond a typical school altercation and warranted criminal charges.

The victim’s mother, who identified herself only as Jenni, said her daughter is still struggling emotionally. She described lingering fear, self-blame, and trauma stemming from the assault. While she hopes accountability is enforced, she also expressed a desire for the teen to receive rehabilitation.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools officials said disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with the district’s code of conduct. The second student involved was also issued a citation, though it remains unclear whether additional charges will follow.