St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
A man identified as a St. Lucie County school bus driver was arrested after allegations of inappropriately touching a 9-year-old student, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office on March 6.
Edwin Garcia, 71, of Port St. Lucie, was jailed on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12 by an offender 18 years of age or older. Garcia was arrested March 6, according to Capt. Andrew Bolonka, sheriff’s spokesperson.
A school resource deputy March 4 got a report indicating a St. Lucie County school bus driver asked a 9-year-old student to lift her clothing as she was on the bus.
“During the follow-up investigation, additional information was developed indicating the driver may have made inappropriate comments to the child and possibly pinched her over her clothing in the pelvic area,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Those with additional information are asked to contact Detective Cpl. Hunter Limb at 772-462-7300 or [email protected]
Lydia Martin, Chief Communications Officer with St. Lucie Schools, in an email said parents of students assigned to bus routes previously driven by Garcia were sent the following message:
“St. Lucie Public Schools was notified on March 6, 2026, of the arrest of Edwin Garcia, a bus driver for St. Lucie Public Schools. Mr. Garcia was arrested for the following felony charges:
2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a child under 12
In accordance with Florida statute 1012.797, we are notifying you of the arrest due to the nature of felony offenses.”
She said the bus driver has been employed with the School District since January 2015.
(This story was updated with new information.)
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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