Moorpark school bus driver charged with molesting boy
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

A Moorpark school bus driver has been charged with committing lewd acts against a 14-year-old autistic boy he had been mentoring through the Big Brothers organization.

Police went to the Thousand Oaks workplace of Danny Ivy Floyd Jr., 39, and arrested him without incident May 7.

Floyd is alleged to have variety of lewd acts against the child at Floyd's home in the 6000 block of Marquette Street in the Campus Park section of Moorpark.

According to the boy's allegations, the incidents took place in recent weeks, police reported.

Last November, Floyd was assigned to mentor the youth through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, according to Ventura County sheriff's Detective Eric Buschow.

"In my opinion this is a case of excellent police work protecting a special-needs kid from a predator. Thank God he was caught," Buschow said.

In a written response, Kay Keenan, spokesperson for the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, stated, "We are aware of the arrest and investigation involving a volunteer with our organization and are alarmed and deeply saddened by reports of any child being harmed. Because the investigation is in progress, it would be inappropriate and irresponsible for us to discuss any specifics."

Her statement went on to say the mentoring organization makes child safety a priority and has a zero tolerance policy regarding abuse. Volunteers and staff members undergo thorough background checks.

The group is working with authorities to make sure Floyd is removed from contact with any of the organization's children. Families whose children might have had contact with Floyd have been informed of the allegations.

According to BBBS, part of its mission is to improve children's lives by supporting them with one-on-one mentoring.

The agency's statistics show 57 percent of program participants improved their academic performance, 62 percent improved career opportunities and 99 percent avoided adolescent pregnancy.

Improvement in relationships with their families and peers was seen in 53 percent of participants.

Ventura County BBBS board member Ron Bamieh said he hoped the allegations against one adult volunteer would not affect the public's perception of a program that through the dedication of volunteer mentors has helped thousands of children.

"This is a rare, rare, rare event. That's why it makes the news," Bamieh said.

Floyd was booked at the East County Jail on several felony charges and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.