News Summary
A distressing incident occurred at a bus stop in Graniteville when several students reported being approached by individuals in a white delivery van. The driver claimed the school bus had broken down and offered the students a ride. Panic ensued when one child fled, prompting an investigation by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. The driver later clarified his intentions were misunderstood, as he was merely visiting family. The incident has raised safety concerns among parents, prompting discussions about vigilance and awareness regarding stranger danger.
Graniteville – On July 24, 2025, a concerning incident unfolded at a bus stop on the 300 block of Fioli Circle in Graniteville, where several students reported being approached by individuals in a white delivery van. The adults in the vehicle, who later identified themselves as Terrance Leverette and another individual, offered the children a ride to school after claiming their school bus had broken down.
During the encounter, one child became frightened, dropped his backpack and lunchbox, and fled as the van approached. The situation escalated quickly, but no contact was made between the children and the adults in the vehicle after the van departed upon the arrival of the school bus.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office was promptly notified and launched an investigation into the incident. Law enforcement began canvassing the neighborhood and gathering information from local residents. The incident sparked significant concern among parents, leading to active discussions on social media and the sharing of security footage capturing the moments surrounding the bus stop.
In an unexpected turn, Terrance Leverette, the driver of the van, reached out to law enforcement after seeing the extensive social media conversations framing the incident as suspicious. He clarified that he had rented the van to transport extended family members to an out-of-town event and had stopped to visit his brother-in-law when he noticed children waiting at the bus stop. Leverette believed he recognized some of the children and offered them a ride out of a goodwill gesture, not understanding how it might be perceived.
Following the incident, Leverette expressed regret for any distress caused to the children or their parents. After witnessing the child’s panic, he realized that his intentions could be misinterpreted, and he chose to leave the area before causing further alarm. Throughout the investigation, he fully cooperated with the authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough search of Leverette’s residence and did not find any troubling evidence. Consequently, no criminal charges were levied against him, as the investigation concluded that there was no immediate danger to the public.
In response to the alarming situation, Aiken County Public Schools issued a message to parents, addressing the incident and emphasizing that no school buses were out of service at the time the approach occurred. The district encouraged parents to remind their children about safety when it comes to strangers and advised them to report any suspicious activities they may encounter.
While the case was officially closed, authorities indicated that it could potentially be referred to juvenile investigators should any further concerns arise. Despite the resolution of this incident, the apprehension it generated remains palpable among parents in the community, many of whom continue to express unease regarding the safety of their children.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance among families in Graniteville, highlighting the need for proactive discussions about personal safety, especially in light of encounters with strangers.
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Additional Resources
- The Augusta Press
- Wikipedia: Child Safety
- WRDW News
- Google Search: Graniteville white van incident
- WJBF News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
- Post and Courier
- Google News: Aiken County van incident
- WFXG News
- Google Scholar: Child Safety Awareness
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
