FERGUSON, Mo. – A Ferguson father is facing a multitude of charges after he allegedly instructed his daughter to beat up another student on a school bus.
St. Louis County prosecutors have issued charges against Maurice Fox with the following offenses:
- Harassment – first degree
- Fourth-degree assault – pursuant to subdivision
- Fourth degree assault – pursuant to subdivision – special victims
- Trespass of a school bus
According to the probable cause statement, the incident happened on Oct. 9 in the 100 block of Frost Ave. around 9 a.m. Prosecutors say Fox allegedly entered a Ferguson-Florissant school bus with a 6-year-old daughter. The bus driver tried to prevent Fox from entering the bus, but he “pushed” the driver’s arm away and continued walking down the aisle, according to the probable cause statement.
Court records say Fox’s daughter then pointed at a 7-year-old who was sitting on the bus. Fox told his daughter, “Do what I told you to do,” and the child began punching the other student in the head.
“The defendant’s daughter stopped the assault, and the defendant stated, ‘again.’ The defendant’s daughter resumed punching the victim in the head,” the probable cause statement reads. “The victim stopped the assault, and the defendant stated, ‘I want her crying, again.'”
Prosecutors say Fox’s daughter resumed punching the victim.
“This incident is disturbing and completely unacceptable,” said Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle.
Fox’s 6-year-old daughter stopped the assault, as she and her father left the bus. The incident, however, was captured on surveillance, officials say.
The Ferguson Police Department (FPD) has tried to contact Fox, but they were met with challenges. Officials, however, say that–instead of cooperating with detectives–Fox created a GoFundMe to cover his legal defense.
“You cannot crowdsource accountability. We urge him to contact the Ferguson Police Department immediately or come in and speak with our investigators to give his account of the incident,” Doyle said.
The Ferguson Police Department says it is working with the Ferguson-Florissant School District to ensure safety for students and staff.
