The state is launching a full-scale investigation into the case of alleged abuse of handicapped students by a Tarrytown bus monitor.

Martine Barber, 25, was hired to help transport developmentally disabled people to and from the St. Jude Habilitation Center. Police say Barber beat some of the passengers on the bus with a belt because they were ?acting out.? Barber was in village court Wednesday to answer to three counts of endangering the welfare of the disabled. Barber claims she is the victim because she was never properly trained to deal with the developmentally disabled.

Also, the Tremont Ambulette Service is under fire for giving her the job without running a state-mandated background check. The owner of the company has admitted never running the required criminal background check on her or on other recent hires. The circumstances have the attention of a state commission, which was brought in to investigate the matter.

Related InformationTarrytown bus monitor accused of beating handicapped students