VOLUME 136 | ISSUE 21
WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2024
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Former bus aide’s abuse case postponed Kiarra Jones’ new court date has been scheduled for Jan. 27 BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A look back at 2024: In photos
The court proceedings for former Littleton Public Schools paraprofessional Kiarra Jones, who is facing multiple charges of abusing and injuring non-verbal autistic children, were continued on Dec. 16. Citing a need for more time for discovery, Jones’ public defender Kevin Herndon requested that her case be continued. Jones’ next court appearance will be Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Sierra Anderson, a lawyer from the Denver-based firm Rathod | Mohamedbhai, who is representing the three families whose children were allegedly abused by Jones, said the parents are angered by the continuation. “Today is really incredibly frustrating for all the families,” Anderson said. “They continue to show up at this courthouse and they continue to be met with the same news. Another continuance where justice simply is not being served.” The continuance comes after Jones, 29, withdrew her original not-guilty pleas in October, and was charged with two additional charges that included a third-degree charge of at-risk assault and another charge of child abuse causing serious bodily injury. These two additional charges brought her total charges to 13. Along with the additional charges, 11-year-old Hunter Yarbrough was named as a third victim in the case. The other named victims in the case include 10-year-old Dax Vestal and 10-year-old Andrew McBride. Vestal was identified as the student Jones was allegedly striking in a video shown by news outlets throughout the world in April, which was around the time of Jones’ arrest. SEE BUS AIDE, P11
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Dozens of people ride bicycles down a Littleton street during the Ride for Liam, a rally calling for safer streets on Oct. 17, 2024, one year after the death of 13-year-old bicyclist Liam Stewart, who was killed as he rode to Euclid Middle School. PHOTO BY NINA JOSS
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