Pewaukee school bus sex assault case; cash bond increased to $400K
The Brief
A parent of a second victim in the Pewaukee school bus sexual assault case pressed for higher cash bond for the accused.
The Waukesha County judge presiding over the case agreed with that request.
Thomas Felser is accused of sexually assaulting two young girls while on a school bus.
WAUKESHA, Wis. - FOX6 News is hearing from the parent of another victim in the Pewaukee school bus sexual assault case.
What we know
Prosecutors initially charged school bus driver Thomas Felser with sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl. Additional charges were added last week when investigators discovered a second victim, this time, a 5-year-old girl.
The parent of the 5-year-old girl urged a Waukesha County judge on Monday, June 2 to increase Felser's cash bond.
What they're saying
"I just think it's tremendously important to protect the kids in our community," the parent said.
"This is someone who used his position of trust and authority to repeatedly abuse now not just one victim – but multiple victims," said the prosecutor.
Dig deeper
Prosecutors say Felser was a school bus driver in Pewaukee when he sexually assaulted two girls on his route. Investigators say Felser was captured on bus surveillance video putting his hand down the girls' pants.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
"The evidence in this case will show that the defendant was trying to position these victims on the school bus in such a way to avoid detection," the prosecutors said.
The backstory
A parent tracking her daughter's bus got worried when the bus had not moved in ten minutes. The mother found the bus parked in a neighborhood. He daughter was alone inside with Felser. That prompted Village of Pewaukee police to review the bus' surveillance video.
Hours of footage led detectives to discover that second victim. Prosecutors filed additional charges last week.
Dig deeper
After FOX6 News emails went unanswered, we went to Felser's employer, Go Riteway, with questions. A representative said she would pass them on to the company's lawyer.
We also requested the Pewaukee School District's contract with Go Riteway.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
The district previously told FOX6 News drivers undergo full background checks and was working with Go Riteway to "identify opportunities to enhance safety and security protocols."
On Monday, the judge sided with the state and increased Felser's cash bond to $400,000.
Village of Pewaukee police have not referred any additional charges.
Before becoming a bus driver in fall 2024, Felser worked as a teacher in Pewaukee for nearly 40 years.
The Source
The information in this post was produced
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Amber Alert issued for missing Florida boy
The Brief An Amber Alert was issued for a missing Miami boy. He may be in the company of Ismari Figueroa Leon. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. MIAMI, Fla. - An Amber Alert for a missing 6-year-old Miami boy. Law enforcement officials are searching for Ryan Figueroa who was last seen in the area of the 1300 block of Southwest 1st Street in Miami. He was last seen wearing a white Polo shirt and black joggers. Officials say he may be in the company of Ismari Figueroa Leon, who was last seen wearing a black jumper. She also has multiple tattoos. The pair may be traveling in a 2012 black Chevy Equinox with Florida tag number RUZG29. What you can do Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately. Tips can also be reported to FDLE at 1-888-356-4774 (1-888-FL-MISSING) or your local law enforcement agency. The Source This story was written with information provided by the FDLE. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
State claims many Iwi Kūpuna ‘destroyed' on North Shore property
PUPUKEA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The state claims over 1,000 bone fragments, said to be Iwi Kūpuna, were disturbed and destroyed at a North Shore home in May. Now, the state is seeking a restraining order against the homeowner and contractor. North Shore community members discuss gondola plans Court documents state that on May 1, a contractor and his team were digging out ground and constructing a new septic system at a property on Ke Iki Road when bones were discovered. The state alleged in the document 'that even though the defendants were told to stop work, and even after the defendants agreed to stop work, the defendants continued ground-disturbing activities, apparently attempting to finish their work before they can be forcibly stopped.' According to a now former employee of the contractor, two burials were found on May 1. 'After they had encountered Iwi, the manager had instructed the crew to collect the bone fragments and place them in a cardboard box, place ti leaf over them, say a prayer and finish the job,' the former employee told state officials according to the document. The former worker said a third burial site was discovered on May 2, and that was the same day Honolulu police and the State Historic Preservation Division went to the archeologist with SHPD stated she was notified of inadvertent discovery of human remains and she and another archaeology branch contractor visited the site. She stated she observed Iwi Kupuna and placed pin flags where bone fragments had been encountered by the former employee and where she observed them on May 2. The former employee then told SHPD that additional bone fragments had been uncovered and placed in an L&L disposable cup. That same day, May 2, the documents state SHPD notified the property owner that no additional ground work could be completed until he retained an archaeological firm and consulted with SHPD. The property owner said he was not at the property during the work and he said he allowed authorities access quickly, and he understands and respects the process. He also hired an archeological firm. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news On May 15, SHPD received an anonymous complaint about ground disturbance at the property. SHPD and DOCARE responded and confirmed ground disturbance activity had occurred at the property and a portion of a previously dug area was infilled with sand and the excavator was now outside the property. The document states the excavator had already been removed from the site and placed on a trailer when SHPD staff arrived. And in the tracks of the excavator, two separate bone fragments were recovered. On May 16, the hired archeology team began their assessment of the property. They recovered remains of a 'very young child in-situ burial.' And had identified over 1,000 bone fragments with the project area. Laulima Giving Program hosting 'Back 2 School' drive 'Burials should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect,' explained Kumu Hina, Oahu Island burial council chair. She explained that if a previous survey of Iwi has been done in an area then the survey falls under the burial council jurisdiction. Because this was an inadvertent discovery, it falls under SHPD. The Attorney General's office filed a temporary restraining order saying it's necessary to protect Iwi and prevent further desecration. The owner said he knew no one was allowed on his property until the issue was resolved. 'I can't say whether it was intentionally callously done or not,' Kumu Hina said. 'In a different time and in a different world it may have been sufficient to those involved to be dismissive like that and gather the bones, grab a ti leaf, say a prayer and toss them aside and move along, but our Hawaii has moved past that callous treatment of burials and so whether the burial is found in a sandy loam near the shoreline, or inland or at Punchbowl cemetery, they should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect.' Hawaiʻi state flag derives from King Kamehameha I She said depending on the area's history, finding 1,000 bone fragments could allude to previous disturbance. 'It might also allude to simply the natural process of bones going back to the land.' She explained burial laws came about around 1980 and property tax records indicate the home on the property was built in the 1970s. But as more owners will be required to shift to septic in the near future, she said we can expect to see more burials unearthed. 'When people go forward callous and careless with poor intention and forego giving respect to the burials found, that's when I can say advise caution,' Kumu Hina said. 'Because that's what begets all sorts of emotions within the Hawaiian community, and misfortune tends to come upon those whom are not careful.' How Generational Hawaiian Music Plays an Impact in Todays Culture She said the city and state should also be prepared for more calls on burials being unearthed as the conversion deadline nears and possibly offer some kind of support. 'Whenever you go digging around in the spaces and places in Hawaii there is a great potential for burials to come up and just as we would treat our loved ones who we know and treat with care and respect, so we treat with care and respect the burials that were at one time someone's parent, sibling, relative and we honor them as well, that's important,' she said. KHON2 reached out to the contractor to find out why the excavator was removed, but did not hear back. The property owners attorney said 'they look forward to cooperating with the state AGs office to resolve this.' The TRO is set to expire on June 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Milwaukee police officer shot, 46th and Hampton; 2 in custody
The Brief A Milwaukee police officer was shot in the leg on Thursday, June 12. The shooting happened near 46th and Hampton around 6:45 p.m. Two men were taken into custody and charges are pending. MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee police officer was shot in the leg on Thursday, June 12. What we know It happened near 46th and Hampton. MPD responded to the area due to recent crime in the area around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Officers soon observed two people with guns and chased the suspects. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said an officer demanded one of the suspects, a 39-year-old male, drop the gun and the suspect refused, then gunfire was exchanged. Both the officer and the suspect were struck by gunfire. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The second suspect, a 19-year-old male, was arrested without further incident and nobody else was injured. Norman said the two guns were recovered. Dig deeper The injured officer is a 30-year-old male with over seven years of service. He was placed on leave, per routine. The police chief noted both the officer and the 39-year-old were taken to the hospital for non-fatal injuries. Charges against the two suspects will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. The investigation is ongoing. What they're saying Mayor Cavalier Johnson condemned the shooting. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News "You're too damn old to be shooting at police officers at 39 years old," he said. "And worse, you have a 19-year-old kid with you? You're supposed to be a role model." Neighbor Jennifer Navarr's nerves were on edge. "I want my children to be safe," she said. "I just want us all to be blessed, and all of our babies to come home every night." "The Milwaukee Police Department sends our thoughts and prayers to our officer and wish him a speedy recovery," Norman said. The Milwaukee Police Association provided the following statement: "The Milwaukee Police Association was deeply concerned to hear that a District 7 police officer was shot this evening during an incident at 46th and Hampton Ave. The officer was transported to the hospital where he is currently being treated for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. We are relieved to report that the officer is expected to make a full recovery. This incident comes just hours after the MPA issued a press release highlighting critically low staffing levels in this very district. We warned that officers are being pushed beyond safe limits and that the safety of both the public and our officers is being compromised. "Tonight's events underscore the urgency of our message," said Alexander Ayala, president of the MPA. "Our officers are committed to protecting this community, but they are doing so at great personal risk. We must tend to our officers' well-being—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. That starts with proper staffing, support, and resources." We commend the bravery of the officers who responded. The MPA is providing full support to the involved officers and their families, and we will continue advocating for the safety and health of all our members." What you can do The Source FOX6 News was on the scene and got information from Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, as well as neighbors.
