Littleton bus driver accused of child rape was hired despite having his license revoked in Alabama

A Massachusetts school principal is apologizing to the community after a school bus driver with a previously revoked license was charged with raping a young boy.

Derek Thistle, 32, of Marlborough, was hired as a school bus driver in Littleton even though his driver’s license was revoked in Alabama years ago.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Thistle was charged May 3 with forcible rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and open and gross indecency.

Thistle allegedly appeared on FaceTime with the boy in July 2023, and the boy’s aunt witnessed the incident, according to officials.

The boy then told his aunt that Thistle had sexually abused him several months earlier while visiting Thistle’s home, according to Ryan’s office.

The victim is not believed to be a Littleton School District student. In an email to parents, Littleton Superintendent Dr. Kelly Clenchy, however, said school officials were “deeply disturbed by the seriousness of the allegations.”

“I want to apologize to our community and to the families whose children rode that bus,” Clenchy said, according to a WCVB report.

Clenchy said an investigation is underway to examine the bus company’s hiring practices.

“We are working with Dee Bus and reviewing their hiring practices and protocols. They were very cooperative with us. We are determined to get to the bottom of this,” Clenchy said.

Thistle was fired from his job as a bus driver in Alabama amid allegations of misconduct. He also worked as a school bus driver in Marlborough and Sutton, according to the WCVB report.

Littleton officials said he passed all required background checks before being hired.

Following his arraignment, Thistle was released on $10,000 bail on the condition that he stay away and have no contact with the victim or witnesses. He is also prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors.

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