School bus driver charged after blasting heat, threatening to ‘cook’ young children

A fed-up school bus driver allegedly blasted the heat up to 100 degrees, threatened to “cook” the children on board and vowed to bring a paddle to beat them while driving the youngsters home, according to police.

Harvey Sliker, 75, is facing charges after police in Sugarcreek — located about 90 miles north of Pittsburgh — received multiple complaints of children who got off the bus on Wednesday “crying and extremely sweaty,” cops said.

Sliker forced the children, who were between 5 and 12 years old, to close the bus windows and set the heater on high “to punish the children for their behavior,” raising temperatures on the bus to between 95 and 100 degrees, police said.

He also allegedly told the children, “I am going to cook you all,” and also threatened to bring a paddle the following day, police said. 

The Valley Grove School District confirmed to KDKA-TV the driver cranked the heat as “a disciplinary action.” 

District officials said the bus contractor immediately replaced the Sliker.

“We take the safety of our students and school community very seriously, and we appreciate the parents who reached out to bring this matter to our attention,” district officials said.

“The contractor has assured us that the individual will no longer be driving for them, and a new driver began Thursday morning.”

Sliker is charged with simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, which are both misdemeanors.

He’s additionally barred from school property.