Background: The 100 block of Frost Avenue in Ferguson, Missouri (Google Maps). Inset: Maurice Fox (St. Louis County Justice Center).
A Missouri father is accused of entering a school bus with his young daughter and commanding her to repeatedly punch another girl in the head until the girl cried.
Maurice Fox, 36, faces charges of first-degree harassment, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and trespassing on a school bus, St. Louis County jail records show. He was arrested on Monday night, but the underlying incident occurred on Oct. 9, authorities said.
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It was just after 9 a.m. that day in Ferguson, and a Ferguson-Florissant School District bus rolled up to the 100 block of Frost Avenue. As the bus stopped, Fox and his 6-year-old daughter got on — despite the bus driver putting his arm out and telling the suspect "he couldn't enter the bus," according to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime.
"The defendant pushed the bus driver's arm [a]way and continued walking down the center aisle," the court document continues. Fox's daughter then pointed at a 7-year-old girl before Fox allegedly "proceeded to threaten" the child. He then apparently made a comment to his daughter that suggested their visit had been planned.
"Do [] what I told you to do," Fox reportedly stated to his daughter, according to the affidavit. The document continues: "The defendant's daughter repeatedly punched the victim in the head."
When his daughter stopped, Fox is said to have not been satisfied. "Again," he allegedly stated, and then his daughter "resumed punching the victim in the head."
According to the affidavit, once again, the attack stopped, but once again, Fox commanded his daughter to resume — this time with an expressed desire. "I want her crying, again," he allegedly said, and his daughter hit the girl "with closed fists."
When his daughter stopped this time, she and Fox left the bus, an officer with the Ferguson Police Department said, noting that surveillance footage captured the attack. According to the officer, Fox had prior felony convictions for aggravated battery, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm.
Fox turned himself in to authorities on Monday night, police told local CBS affiliate KMOV. Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle said that "no child should ever be exposed to that kind of behavior, especially in a setting that should feel safe, like a school bus."
While it is unclear what — if anything — transpired between the children before the incident, Doyle said, "We encourage parents and guardians to work with school officials, counselors, and community resources when facing conflicts involving their children. Collaboration and communication — not confrontation — are how we keep our kids and schools safe."
Ferguson, Missouri, is part of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, located about 12 miles northwest of the city.