Bus Driver Charged With 5 Felonies in Abduction of Boy

A Saugus bus driver was charged Tuesday with five felonies, including attempted murder, stemming from the abduction and beating of a 10-year-old boy in Val Verde, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office said.

Mike Anthony White, 31, was charged with one count each of attempted murder, assault with intent to commit child molestation, kidnapping of a child under 14, kidnapping to commit child molestation and assault likely to produce great bodily harm.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Rhonda C. Brody asked Newhall Municipal Judge Alan Rosenfield to set bail at $1.15 million. That determination will be made at White’s arraignment, which is scheduled for Jan. 21.

White, a Santa Clarita Transit Co. employee, is accused of snatching the boy as he walked along a road near Val Verde on Friday afternoon.

After choking the child, who lost consciousness, White dumped the boy’s limp body in a rural area of Santa Clarita Valley, according to authorities.

The boy, whose name was not released, had bruises and scratches on his face and upper body, sheriff’s officials said. He was treated at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia and released over the weekend.