Bus driver admits to stealing money

A school bus driver who was caught rummaging through a student’s backpack pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree burglary.

Kelly Christine Alaniz, 44, was arrested Oct. 8 at Sage Hill School, 20402 Newport Coast Drive, after a teacher caught her looking through a student’s backpack in the girls’ locker room.

It appeared she was looking through the student’s wallet, school officials said in October.

Nothing was missing, but a student reported $150 missing the day before, officials said.

Alaniz was arrested that day and later bailed out of jail.

She is scheduled to be sentenced April 5.

The private school continues to use the same bus company for its transportation, and considered the matter an isolated incident, school officials said.

— Joseph Serna