South Charleston police believe a school bus driver who allegedly sexually assaulted a student may have more victims.
"He didn't just decide yesterday to be a pedophile," Detective P.C. Rader said Friday.
Leonard Earl Smith, 50, of Charleston, was charged with third-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by guardian or a person of trust for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl who rode his bus, according to a complaint filed Thursday at Kanawha County Magistrate Court.
South Charleston police are asking anyone else who may have been victimized to call them 304-744-5951.
The incidents occurred between Dec. 21 and Jan. 3 while parked near the corner of F Street and Fifth Avenue in South Charleston, Rader wrote in the complaint.
Rader said Friday the incidents did not occur on the bus.
Smith started working as a substitute bus driver in May 2006, then was a full-time bus driver in 2007, according to Carol Hamric, director of human resources for Kanawha County schools. She said he did pass a background check, which was submitted to the State Police and the FBI.
Kanawha School Superintendent Ron Duerring wouldn't say if Smith is suspended or otherwise comment, saying he never talks about personnel issues.
