UPPER GWYNEDD >> A van driver from Red Hill has been charged with multiple criminal counts after he allegedly attacked and injured a special needs child he was taking home from school on Friday afternoon, according to Upper Gwynedd police.
Terry Lee Stoudt, 67, was arraigned in district court Friday night on a felony unlawful restraint charge, misdemeanor counts of simple assault, neglect of a care-dependant person, endangering the welfare of children, and recklessly endangering another person, and summary harassment.
Upper Gwynedd police said they responded to the 1000 block of Valley Forge Road on Friday afternoon for a reported assault, and the ensuing investigation determined that Stoudt, who works for an unspecified transportation service, was driving the boy – whose age was not released by authorities – from school to his home when a disturbance took place inside the van.
Stoudt pulled over and the boy fled the vehicle, but Stoudt allegedly chased the child to a nearby property and then threw him to the ground and punched him multiple times, according to police, who said they spoke to at least two witnesses who saw the attack take place.
The boy suffered abrasions and contusions to his upper torso area as a result of the assault, police said.
Stoudt was taken into custody and arraigned before Bridgeport District Judge James Gallagher, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured, allowing Stoudt to remain free while awaiting his preliminary hearing, scheduled for March 3.
Police did not comment on from which school the boy was being driven home.
