Bus Assistant Accused Of Touching Multiple Young Girls; Charges Filed
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A school bus assistant in Woodbury is behind bars, accused of sexually touching girls under the age of 5.
Police say video from the school bus shows 70-year-old Harvey Kneifl touching the children on at least two occasions.
A parent called the police after an incident Friday.
Court papers filed Thursday afternoon say Kneifl is a school bus attendant whose job is to help children with special needs while they ride buses in the South Washington County School District.
An investigation by Woodbury Police revealed Kneifl can be seen on video touching at least six young girls on their private parts, over their clothing.
The father of a 4-year-old girl told police what his daughter says happened to her and other girls on her bus Friday morning.
She said Kneifl sat next to her and rubbed her leg, and then started rubbing her genital area in a rough manner "four or five" times.
The police investigation revealed other pre-schoolers on the bus had similar stories.
On Monday morning, Woodbury police officers met with the transportation division of the school district. They requested bus video, student rosters, and contact information for other kids on the route.
Video from the bus camera confirmed what the children said.
The criminal complaint states that Kneifl "admitted that he likes to tickle, poke and hug the children," and that he likes putting his hands on the girls' thighs and rubbing them.
When interviewed by police, Kneifl said the children "come from a hard life and likely do not get any sort of affection at home."
South Washington County School District online records show Kneifl was hired during the summer of 2012.
The 70-year-old lives in a senior living community in Woodbury on Bailey Road.
Kneifl was immediately placed on leave by the South Washington County School District once they were aware of the allegations.
He was arrested Wednesday and is now charged with six counts of criminal sex conduct, with a victim under the age of 13.
If convicted, Kniefl faces up to 25 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine for each charge.
