Inset: Erin Menefee (Dougherty County Jail via WALB). Background: Oakridge Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia (Google Maps).
A Georgia church deacon driving a bus allegedly ditched four kids on the side of the road and took off because they were misbehaving, leaving a mother terrified because she could not find them.
Erin Menefee, 42, is charged with four counts of reckless conduct.
According to an Albany police incident report obtained by local NBC affiliate WALB, cops responded to Oakridge Baptist Church on Sunday to speak with a woman who alleged that her three kids, ages 12, 11 and 9, along with their 10-year-old friend, were kicked off the church bus on their way home.
She reportedly said the kids were left behind at the busy intersection of Westover Boulevard and Gillionville Road, which was nearly 4 miles away from their home and too far for them to walk. When the kids did not show up at home, the mother went out in search of them but could not find them, although she did see the bus.
The mom spoke with Menefee, who said he dropped them off down the road, the complaint reportedly said. She still could not find them, so she drove to the church to speak with the pastor.
While there, the mother got a call from a relative who said Menefee told her that he kicked the kids off the bus because they were cursing and hitting each other and he "don't play that," per cops.
A passerby saw the kids and drove them home.
Officers spoke with Menefee, who reportedly admitted to leaving the kids at the intersection. He said there were 20 children on the bus and the kids in question were being disruptive, so he decided to remove them for safety reasons, according to the complaint.
Menefee reportedly said he called the relative to come pick the kids up but conceded that he should have waited until the relative arrived before driving away.
Cops arrested him and took him to the Dougherty County Jail, where he has since posted bond. His next court date was not immediately listed.