Bus Driver in Love with Boy, 16

(Staunton, Virginia) A 36-year-old school bus driver and teacher's aide at Robert E. Lee High School, Paula Tomlin, was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 16-year-old male student.

The relationship allegedly involved criminal offenses in the city of Staunton and in Augusta County. She faces four charges in Augusta County of indecent liberties with a child while in a custodial position and three charges in Staunton.

According to information gathered during the investigation, over the last three weeks the 16-year-old male student, who attends the Genesis Alternative Education School in Fishersville, would regularly ride Tomlin’s bus in the afternoons until her route was finished, then the two would leave the bus storage area together in her car, [Staunton City Schools Superintendent] Nichols said.

Tomlin would drop the student off within walking distance of his house, usually around 6 p.m., Nichols said. The student’s parents were unaware anything unusual was taking place.

An adult acquaintance of Tomlin’s informed school authorities of the situation at noon Wednesday, Nichols said. By 3 p.m., they were sufficiently confident of wrongdoing to inform police. Tomlin was arrested Thursday following the completion of her bus route.

School officials provided police with evidence, including a series of explicit text messages between Tomlin and the student, Staunton Police Department Investigator J.I. Hylton said. After initial denials, Tomlin and the student confirmed under questioning the sexual nature of their relationship, Hylton said. Both stated they were in love.

Tomlin was booked into custody at the Middle River Regional Jail and released on $2,500 bond.