An Indiana woman has been sentenced to jail after admitting to attacking children on a school bus while confronting students she believed were bullying her stepson.
The incident, which was captured on bus surveillance cameras, led to criminal charges against both the woman and her partner and sparked concerns about adult behaviour around school children.
Indiana Woman Sentenced for School Bus Incident
Raven Barner, 26, has been sentenced to one year in jail followed by one year of active probation after pleading guilty to charges related to a confrontation on a school bus in Greenwood, Indiana.
Barner pleaded guilty to two counts of battery against children under the age of 14 and one count of resisting law enforcement. In addition to her sentence, the court ordered her to undergo a mental health evaluation.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on October 31, 2025, involving several school-aged children riding a bus near the apartment complex where Barner lived.
Couple Believed Stepson Was Being Bullied
According to investigators, Barner and her partner, Donquarious Ridley, believed their young son was being bullied by other children on the school bus.
Rather than reporting the issue through school officials or transportation authorities, the couple allegedly decided to confront the children directly.
Police said the confrontation escalated quickly and resulted in physical contact with students aboard the bus.
Witnesses Reported Adults Boarding School Bus
Authorities were called to an apartment complex in Greenwood on the morning of October 31 after receiving reports that two adults had boarded a school bus and were yelling at children.
Several witnesses, including students who were present during the incident, reported seeing Barner and Ridley enter the bus shortly after their son had been picked up.
Investigators later confirmed that the bus driver had not given either adult permission to board the vehicle.
The incident raised immediate concerns because school buses are considered protected environments where student safety is a priority.
Surveillance Video Captured Entire Incident
According to court documents, surveillance cameras inside the bus recorded the entire confrontation.
Police reviewed the footage and said it showed Barner and Ridley boarding the bus and approaching children they believed were involved in bullying their son.
Investigators stated that Barner became involved in a verbal argument with two children and allegedly threatened one of them by saying she would “beat” him. She also reportedly told the child that she would have her stepson fight him.
Authorities further alleged that the video showed Barner encouraging her stepson to start an altercation with another student.
Children Were Struck During Confrontation
As tensions escalated, the bus driver attempted to intervene and separate the adults from the children.
According to investigators, Barner struck one child during the confrontation. Authorities also said a second child was struck inadvertently during the incident.
The physical contact led to the battery charges that Barner later admitted to in court.
The case drew significant attention because of the ages of the victims and the location where the incident occurred.
Court Orders Mental Health Evaluation
Following her guilty plea, the court sentenced Barner to one year in jail and one year of active probation.
In addition to the sentence, she was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. The court did not publicly provide additional details regarding the evaluation requirement.
The sentence reflects the seriousness of the incident while also addressing concerns about future behaviour.
Partner’s Criminal Case Still Ongoing
While Barner’s case has been resolved, legal proceedings against Donquarious Ridley continue.
Ridley, 27, faces two counts of battery against children under the age of 14 and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Unlike Barner, he has not yet reached a plea agreement or received a sentence. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 27.
The outcome of his case remains pending as prosecutors continue to pursue the charges.
