Westbrook man arrested on child sex charges was a school bus driver

with Suzanne Hodgson

WESTBROOK — A Westbrook man who was arrested on child sex charges Tuesday resigned as a bus driver in the Scarborough school system just before he turned himself in to police.

Stephen C. Mitton, 47, of 665 Saco St., was arrested for felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful sexual touching. According to Westbrook police Capt. Tom Roth, the investigation in the case is ongoing. Roth said Mitton appeared at the police station on his own accord and was placed under arrest. He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

"He is no longer an employee," Scarborough Superintendent George Entwistle said Wednesday. "He was no longer employed as of yesterday. Basically the employee resigned and we accepted the resignation. He had not been arrested at that time."

A Stephen Mitton was employed as a school bus driver in Westbrook until 2011, when he resigned. School Superintendent Marc Gousse said Wednesday that he could not confirm the middle initial or date of birth of the bus driver. However, Entwistle said it is his understanding that it is the same person.

"This does not involve a Scarborough child," said Entwistle. "As far as I am concerned, it's a matter that relates to a previous employment in another town ... not Scarborough."

"My only comment would be that there are no pending complaints or concerns as it relates to Scarborough schools," said Entwistle. "It's really, as far as I'm concerned, not a matter that concerns us."

Entwistle added that due to safety concerns, Scarborough school buses are monitored by video.

According to Cape Elizabeth Superintendent Meredith Nadeau, a Stephen C. Mitton drove a school bus for her district from February to June 2011.

"My impression is that it was a temporary position," she said, noting that Mitton was contracted for special event duties on Aug. 19, 2011 and Aug. 17, 2012.