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School Bus Driver Accused Of Molesting 7-Year-Old Girl In Mami-Dade

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A private Miami-Dade school bus driver was arrested after he was accused of molesting a seven-year-old girl.

Marcelo Ortega, 67, is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, and lewd and lascivious exhibition.

On Tuesday, May 17th, the girl told her older sister that Ortega had parked the bus when they were alone, kissed her on the lips, touched her private area, and exposed himself. She said he then gave her some chips and mangoes.

The sister contacted the bus company, Kiko and Kika Bus Transportation Services, and spoke to one of the owners, according to Ortega's arrest report.

The owner called her husband and she told him to get in touch with the girl and her sister who were on the bus. He did and the girl told him the same story. He then took them off the bus and drove them home.

The girl met with the police on Wednesday and detailed her encounter with Ortega.

He was taken into custody on Thursday. He's being held without bond.

"This man is surrounded by children, and he sought the opportunity, he took it and made that move to that little girl that she'll forever be haunted by," says Kenia Fallat, a spokesperson for Miami Police.

"What concerns us is he's surrounded by children, and we don't know if he's done this in the past," says Fallat.

"We want parents to be reminded that they speak to their children, so their children do exactly what this little girl did," says Fallat.

CBS4 asked Ortega's employer about him and asked if they run background checks on their drivers, but they wouldn't answer any of our questions.

"If you believe your children have fallen prey or you've fallen prey to him the time to call us is now," says Fallat.

CBS4 did our own background check on Ortega and found out he doesn't have any criminal history, but he does have a bad driving record, including several careless driving citations.

"If you believe someone does something to you that's disturbing. Kicking and screaming are the very things we want little kids to learn," said Fallat.

Police remind all parents to have those important conversations with their children so they know exactly what to do in this type of situation.

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