7 Ocala teens accused in school bus beating

MARION COUNTY, Fla.,None — A judge placed seven Marion County teenagers accused of beating a 13-year-old girl unconscious while on a school bus on home confinement on Saturday.

Marion County Sheriff's deputies said about 75 children were on the bus Friday morning on their way to Liberty Middle School when the fight broke out.

The school's bus driver said he saw the fight and pulled the bus over to intervene. The fighting ceased, so he continued driving, but he told authorities the fight broke out again and he couldn't control it so he drove to a nearby school and called officials.

Deputies told WFTV the victim suffered a concussion and severe bruising and was taken to a local hospital. She allegedly told a deputy it was her first day riding the bus and no one would let her sit down.

Authorities interviewed all the students on the bus. Ten students said they saw the seven "commit battery upon the victim as a group," according to the report.

Investigators said the suspects, 14-year-old Zantavia Williams, 14-year-old Ladricka James, 12-year-old Javaris Beard, 13-year-old Alphonso Young, 12-year-old Bria Watkins, 13-year-old Lamiracle Mackey, and 15-year-old Jebria Welch were arrested and charged with felony battery and disorderly conduct.

School officials said it's unlikely the suspects will be allowed on campus until their cases are resolved.

WFTV