A Hamilton Southeastern Schools bus driver is facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly consuming alcohol while operating a school bus with students on board.
According to reporting by Current Publishing journalist Leila Kheiry, Terri Shore, 61, of Noblesville, was charged April 22 in Hamilton County Court with criminal recklessness and driving a bus after or while consuming alcohol. She has not been charged with operating while intoxicated.
A probable cause affidavit filed by School Resource Officer Matthew Madden states the incident began April 1, when a student on Shore’s bus reportedly saw a vodka bottle inside a grocery bag hanging from the driver’s armrest. The student photographed the bottle and sent the image to a Hamilton Southeastern High School dean, who forwarded it to district transportation officials.
Transportation Director Zach McKinney and another employee contacted Shore and instructed her to stop the bus. She pulled over at Brooks School Elementary, where students were transferred to another bus.
During questioning, Shore allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day, according to the affidavit.
Madden wrote that he later reviewed bus camera footage, which reportedly showed Shore drinking from a vodka bottle shortly before 2 p.m. and pouring liquid into an orange juice container. The affidavit alleges she continued drinking from that container while driving and transporting students.
The report also states Shore appeared to brush her teeth around that time, which investigators believe may have been an attempt to mask the odor of alcohol.
Authorities said testing confirmed the bottle contained vodka.
In a statement, Hamilton Southeastern Schools said Shore was removed from duty April 2 and is no longer employed by the district.
“We do not tolerate any behavior that compromises the safety of our students,” the district said. “Student safety remains the district’s highest priority.”
Online court records do not yet list an attorney for Shore. She has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Read Leila Kheiry’s story at this link.