VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The parents of Giovanni “Vanni” Mauro would never have known what had happened to their son if his school bus driver hadn’t complained — about Vanni.
The driver said the boy, who’s non-verbal with Down Syndrome, had been acting out on the bus.
But then Tony and Crystal Mauro saw the video.
It showed bus assistant Lester Langhorne pushing the boy across the seat and using his right hand to push the boy’s throat or neck to keep him in place. The Mauros filed charges and
Langhorne pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery three weeks ago.
“It was rewarding to see justice served for my son,” Tony Mauro said. “It’s important for individuals to take accountability.”
“The family’s attorney said Judge Debbie Bryan, who presided over the case in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, ruled that Vanni was treated differently than other kids on the bus.
“[She said] the actions of the bus driver and the aide were directed at Vanni,” said Mauros’ attorney Happy O’Brien. “So getting the conviction was the first step.”
Now, the family is suing Virginia Beach Schools, the bus assistant, the driver and several current and former school officials, including former Superintendent Aaron Spence, in federal court.
“Having the video of the actual event — it’s hard to put a value on that,” said Ed Booth, another attorney representing the Mauros.
And the lawsuit alleges that the driver and his assistant mocked Vanni when it was suggested by a third person that Vanni be put in a garment bag or burlap bag as a way to control him. Vanni’s parents say major changes need to be made in Virginia Beach when it comes to students with special needs.
“I think there’s a disconnect between how they feel they may have it handled, and how it really is handled,” said mother Crystal Mauro.
“The greater the amount of attention that this lawsuit gathers, the more likely that this will not happen to a child in the future,” Booth said.
Vanni’s father says the goal of the lawsuit is achieving change.
“It’s unfortunate that some people’s behaviors change when somebody’s watching or not watching,” Tony Mauro said. “But our children can’t talk. They can’t defend themselves.”
Langhorne was fired last year. The driver remains on the job. Virginia Beach City Public Schools would not comment on the lawsuit.
