Woman charged after punching 9-year-old boy at Henrico bus stop

Henrico Police reported that a 47-year-old woman allegedly punched a 9-year-old boy in the face at a school bus stop near Ratcliffe Elementary School around 7:30 a.m. on a recent Friday.

A nearby resident heard the boy's screams, intervened by bringing the child to his porch, and called 911. Police arrested the woman, who now faces assault and battery charges.

The victim sustained facial injuries but is expected to recover, according to police. The incident has caused concern among local residents, including Earl Thomas, who expressed shock given the bus stop's location in a neighborhood where his family has ties.

Ratcliffe Elementary Principal Joy Reed described the attack as an isolated event. Counselors are providing support to students who ride that bus, and the principal plans to visit the bus stop during the week to reassure and monitor student safety.

The accused woman is scheduled for a court hearing on December 14, according to online court records.