A 64-year-old Jefferson County school bus driver who transported elementary students for six years turned himself in to police Thursday after a 10-year-old rider reported an “inappropriate relationship” that allegedly included sexual assault. Robert Charles Watters now sits in jail facing felony charges that have shaken parents across the district.

The arrest has exposed yet again how predators can hide in plain sight in roles built entirely on trust.

What Police Say Happened

Lakewood police launched an immediate investigation last Wednesday after the child disclosed the abuse to a trusted adult. Detectives say the assaults occurred over time while Watters was driving the C-31 route for Jeffco Public Schools, the same route he had operated since August 2023.

Watters had previously driven the C-49 route that served Hutchinson Elementary from 2021 to 2023. Investigators believe the victim rode one or both of those routes.

Watters turned himself in Thursday afternoon and was booked on suspicion of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust – pattern of abuse, one of the most serious child sex offense charges in Colorado.

As of Friday evening, he remained in the Jefferson County jail on a $50,000 bond.

School District Moves Quickly

Jeffco Public Schools placed Watters on unpaid administrative leave the moment they learned of the allegation and say he will never drive for the district again.

In a statement to families Friday, district officials wrote:

“We are heartbroken and outraged. The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement.”

The district says Watters passed all required background checks when he was hired in 2018 and in every subsequent renewal. He had no prior criminal record in Colorado.

Parents React With Anger and Fear

News of the arrest spread quickly through parent group chats and neighborhood apps in Lakewood and surrounding areas.

One mother whose child rode Watters’ bus last year told reporters she feels sick knowing her daughter sat just feet from an alleged predator.

“He was always friendly, always waving. That’s what makes this so terrifying,” she said. “You drop your kid at the bus stop thinking they’re safe for seven hours. This shatters that.”

Another parent said she now plans to follow the bus in her car every morning until a new driver is assigned.

Police Ask Other Families to Come Forward

Lakewood police emphasized Friday that they believe there could be additional victims.

Investigator Scott Rogers urged anyone with information to call the department’s tip line at 303-763-6800.

“Even if a child says something that seemed small or confusing at the time, we need to hear it,” Rogers said. “These offenders often test boundaries with multiple children before escalating.”

The investigation remains active.

This case arrives at a time when Colorado has seen multiple high-profile arrests of school employees for child sex crimes in the past year, including teachers, coaches, and now a bus driver.

Parents say the pattern has left them questioning whether current screening and supervision measures are enough.

One father put it bluntly: “Background checks only catch people who’ve already been caught. We need eyes on these routes, cameras that actually work, and adults who aren’t afraid to speak up the second something feels wrong.”

For now, a stunned community waits for answers while hugging their children a little tighter at the bus stop each morning.

If your child ever rode bus C-31 or C-49 in Jeffco Public Schools, talk to them tonight. And if they say anything that worries you, make the call.