$250,000 Bond Ordered For School Bus Driver Charged With Child Sexual Assault

SAWYER COUNTY -- A criminal complaint was filed on October 18, 2021, charging a bus driver for the Hayward School District with sexual assault of a child on a school bus.

See also: Siren Police Chief Facing Charge Of 4th-Degree Sexual Assault

On September 27, 2021, the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department was advised of allegations that a school bus driver had allegedly sexually assaulted a child on a bus. An investigation into the allegations was initiated and a forensic interview was conducted with the juvenile victim.

According to the criminal complaint, Michael Kavanagh, age 63, and a school bus driver for the Hayward School District, on multiple occasions made comments to the juvenile about the physical development of their body; told the juvenile that they were cute; and stated to the juvenile that he had a crush on the juvenile. Kavanagh also patted and squeezed the juvenile’s buttocks & chest; attempted to put his hand inside the juvenile’s shirt; and attempted to touch the juvenile’s crotch area.

Kavanagh is charged with two counts of Class B Felony 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault - Sexual Contact with a Child Under Age 13; and one count of Class H Felony Sexual Assault of a Child By a Person Who Works or Volunteers With Children.

Online circuit court records show that Kavanagh appeared on October 14, 2021, while in custody for a bail bond hearing in Sawyer County Circuit Court. The Hon. John Yackel ordered a $250,000 cash bond for Kavanagh. Conditions of the bond prohibit him from having any contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Kavanagh is scheduled to have an initial appearance regarding his criminal charges on October 22, 2021.

See also: $25,000 Cash Bond Ordered For Man Charged With Causing Injury To Sawyer County Officer

Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.