Missouri – In a deeply troubling incident that has shaken Missouri residents, a 36-year-old father, identified as M. Fox, has been arrested after allegedly forcing his young daughter to repeatedly assault a 7-year-old girl on a school bus. The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, left authorities stunned and parents outraged over what they describe as a shocking breakdown in adult judgment and child safety.
Fox faces multiple charges following the October 9 attack, including first-degree harassment, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and trespassing on a school bus. According to the police department and court documents, Fox forcibly boarded a school bus just after 9 a.m. with his 6-year-old daughter and initiated a violent encounter with another child. When the bus pulled up at the pickup station, the driver extended his arm in an attempt to stop Fox from boarding. But Fox allegedly pushed the driver’s arm aside and continued walking down the aisle with purpose.
Court records state that his daughter then pointed out a 7-year-old girl sitting among the students. That’s when, police say, Fox turned to the child and threatened her, then looked at his daughter and instructed: “Do what I told you to.” What happened next was both brutal and bewildering. The 6-year-old girl began to punch the other child in the head repeatedly, just as her father allegedly instructed. When she paused, Fox reportedly told her, “Again,” prompting her to continue the assault.
Then, as the victim tried to resist, Fox took it further. He told his daughter to continue with the hitting. The child resumed the attack with closed fists, according to a criminal affidavit. Only after she stopped for the third time did Fox and his daughter exit the bus. Police Chief T. Doyle condemned the incident in a public statement. “No child should ever be exposed to that kind of behavior, especially in a setting that should feel safe, like a school bus,” Doyle said. He emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through proper channels, encouraging families to work with school counselors and administrators instead of resorting to violence.
The brutal scene was captured by the bus’s internal surveillance cameras, which provided critical evidence in the case. After an arrest warrant was issued, Fox turned himself in on Monday night and is now in police custody. This is not Fox’s first run-in with the law. Authorities revealed that he has an extensive criminal record dating back to at least 2006 in Wisconsin. Past convictions include possession of a firearm, armed robbery, and aggravated battery. He also has an active warrant for failing to appear at a hearing related to a 2016 case.
The investigation into the motive behind the assault is still ongoing. Police have not confirmed whether there was prior interaction between the two children. However, the premeditated nature of the incident—Fox allegedly instructing his daughter ahead of time—has only deepened concern. For now, Fox remains behind bars, and the case has been handed over to prosecutors. The victim’s condition has not been publicly disclosed, but the psychological impact of the attack is undeniable. What began as a routine school morning ended in chaos, fear, and trauma. The bus, a place meant for safety and routine, became a stage for a parent’s violent lesson—and now, the justice system must respond.
