A school bus driver was fired after failing to tell officials about a missing video key to an investigation into an alleged fight during her route, a Marietta Schools District spokeswoman confirmed Thursday.

Rosa Smith, who had been with the district for 12 years, was accused of threatening, cursing and hitting students during an alleged fight. Marietta police were called to investigate the incident, but when they went to check cameras on the bus, they discovered the hard drive had been removed.

No criminal charges were filed against Smith, 58, in the Oct. 20 incident, but Marietta Schools said her failure to alert them about the missing video cost her a job.

School officials told authorities the hard drives are locked and the bus drivers do not have access to them, according to a police report. It is not clear who removed the hard drive on the bus.

Superintendent Grant Rivera said Smith was fired for not following pre-trip inspection protocols, and not for any alleged misconduct or her interaction with the children.

In other news: 

Police: Man Beats Wife With Hatchet, Kills Self with Chain Saw

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY: Want more stories like this one? Go to www.myajc.com/crime/

About the Author

Keep Reading

Last Thursday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged First Liberty Building & Loan founder Brant Frost IV operated a $140 million Ponzi scheme, defrauding investors across the country. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: TNS

Featured

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) tours the Vine City neighborhood with his senior advisor Courtney English (left). (Matt Reynolds/AJC 2024)

Credit: Matt Reynolds