Girl, 7, testifies at trial of ex-HISD bus driver accused of molesting her

Jonathan Palmares (left) and the victim

HOUSTON – The trial of a former Houston Independent School District bus driver accused of inappropriately touching a young girl continued Friday with the 7-year-old victim taking the stand.

Jonathan Palmares, 45, is charged with indecency with a child.

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The 7-year-old victim testified Friday, two days after surveillance video from inside a school bus was shown in court.

In the video, Palmares is seen talking to the girl while his bus is parked outside Gross Elementary School, one of three HISD elementary schools on Palmares' route.

The video shows him talking to the girl, and she appears to attempt to leave twice, but each time Palmares appears to block her.

The video shows him touching her frequently as they talk, and at one point pulling her toward him.
 
Palmares' attorneys contend the video doesn't show sexual contact at all, and that Palmares merely touched the girl's hand.

An 8-year-old girl who also accused Palmares of inappropriately touching her testified Friday as well.


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