Salinas bus driver accused of raping disabled children back in court after making bail

The Salinas bus driver accused of raping physically and developmentally disabled children was in court Wednesday morning.

Bill Harvey now has his preliminary hearing set for May 18th. The prosecutor said in court he is requesting and waiting on school records. The judge says she has to review them first.

An investigation revealed he allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with at least two of the disabled children who rode on his bus.

Harvey pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He was released on bail March 16th, one week after his arrest in Seaside.

KION will continue to follow this story and provide the latest details.

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Bill Harvey, the man accused of raping physically and developmentally disabled children has been released on bail, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Salinas Police tell us Harvey bailed out for $730,000 on Friday March 16th, one week after Harvey was arrested in Seaside.

His arrest came after officers responded to a call about a man harassing a female on February 22nd. That call launched the investigation that eventually led to Harvey’s arrest.

Salinas Police said during the investigation they discovered Harvey had been a bus driver for special needs children enrolled in the district for several years. Over the course of the last 10 years, Harvey had inappropriate interactions with at least two of the children who rode on his bus.

Harvey bought gifts and met with at least one of the victims several times outside of his normal job duties. Police said the victims described being touched inappropriately and forced to commit sexual acts against their will.

His next court date is set for March 28th.

KION is working to gather more details on this story. We will provide the latest as it becomes available.