Background: The 100 block of Frost Avenue in Ferguson, Missouri (Google Maps). Inset: Maurice Fox (St. Louis County Justice Center).
A Missouri man is facing serious allegations after reportedly boarding a school bus with his young daughter and encouraging her to repeatedly strike another child in the head until the victim began to cry.
Maurice Fox, 36, has been charged with first-degree harassment, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and unlawfully entering a school bus, according to records from the St. Louis County jail. Although Fox was taken into custody on Monday night, the incident in question took place on October 9, authorities confirmed.
The event unfolded just after 9 a.m. in Ferguson when a bus from the Ferguson-Florissant School District arrived at the 100 block of Frost Avenue. Upon its arrival, Fox and his 6-year-old daughter boarded the bus despite the driver’s attempt to prevent him, as detailed in a criminal complaint acquired by Law&Crime. The driver reportedly extended his arm to block Fox, informing him he wasn’t allowed to board.
The court documents describe how Fox brushed aside the driver’s arm and proceeded down the center aisle of the bus. His daughter identified a 7-year-old girl, at which point Fox allegedly made threatening remarks towards the child. He then reportedly mentioned something to his daughter that implied their actions were premeditated.
According to the affidavit, Fox directed his daughter with the words, “Do what I told you to do.” Following his command, the daughter reportedly began to strike the victim in the head multiple times.
Even after his daughter ceased her assault, Fox was reportedly unsatisfied. “Again,” he urged, leading his daughter to recommence hitting the victim in the head.
According to the affidavit, once again, the attack stopped, but once again, Fox commanded his daughter to resume — this time with an expressed desire. “I want her crying, again,” he allegedly said, and his daughter hit the girl “with closed fists.”
When his daughter stopped this time, she and Fox left the bus, an officer with the Ferguson Police Department said, noting that surveillance footage captured the attack. According to the officer, Fox had prior felony convictions for aggravated battery, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm.
Fox turned himself in to authorities on Monday night, police told local CBS affiliate KMOV. Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle said that “no child should ever be exposed to that kind of behavior, especially in a setting that should feel safe, like a school bus.”
While it is unclear what — if anything — transpired between the children before the incident, Doyle said, “We encourage parents and guardians to work with school officials, counselors, and community resources when facing conflicts involving their children. Collaboration and communication — not confrontation — are how we keep our kids and schools safe.”
Ferguson, Missouri, is part of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, located about 12 miles northwest of the city.
