Former Arizona school bus driver detained on suspicion of molestation

A former bus driver for Maricopa County’s Nadaburg Unified School District, near Surprise, was detained on suspicion of sexually molesting a minor.

On September 3, the school system announced that Charles Ellington had been placed on administrative leave after learning that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office was investigating him. Eight days later, he received a termination notice.

“Throughout this process, Nadaburg USD has fully cooperated with the Sheriff’s Department and provided any information necessary to support their work,” Superintendent Dr. Aspasia Angelou stated.

Ellington was detained on December 1 on allegations of misconduct with a minor and sexual molestation.

“Now that an arrest has been made and charges have been filed, we can communicate with our community while upholding the integrity of the investigation.” “Law enforcement has assured the District that the victims in this case have been identified and are cooperating in the investigation,” Angelou stated.

The district employed Ellington from August 2021 to October 2025.

The school system assures families that it prioritizes the safety and well-being of all students.

“As part of this commitment, all potential employees undergo a comprehensive screening process beyond the minimum requirements of Arizona law—including Department of Public Safety (DPS) fingerprint clearance cards, professional reference checks, and additional district-mandated background reviews,” Angelou said.

She explained further, “All Nadaburg staff are required to maintain a valid DPS-issued fingerprint clearance card, and the District goes further by requiring clearance through an additional independent background service. These processes involve rigorous, ongoing checks, and the District receives daily notifications from DPS if any employee’s card is suspended or revoked, allowing us to act immediately. During his employment with Nadaburg, Mr. Ellington held a valid CDL, maintained a clean drug and alcohol testing record, and had an active fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.”