News Summary
A delivery van’s approach to children waiting for their school bus in Graniteville has raised alarms among parents. The incident led to a misunderstanding, but it prompted discussions on child safety and vigilance in the community. Law enforcement investigated and clarified that no laws were broken, but the situation has encouraged parents to talk to their children about stranger danger. The local school district is also reinforcing safety measures to ensure children’s well-being.
Graniteville, S.C. – A recent incident involving a white delivery van approaching school children has sparked panic and concern among parents in the Graniteville community. On July 24, 2025, a group of children waiting for their school bus on Fioli Circle was approached by a man and a woman in a van, who allegedly claimed that the children’s school bus had broken down and offered them a ride.
One child became frightened during the encounter, reportedly dropping his backpack and lunchbox before running away from the scene. Fortunately, the actual school bus arrived shortly thereafter, and the van drove away immediately. Parents, alarmed by this incident, contacted the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, leading to widespread speculation and discussions on social media platforms.
Following the uproar, the driver of the van, identified as Terrance Leverette, reached out to law enforcement after noticing social media posts about the incident. He explained that he had rented the van to transport his extended family to an event and was visiting a brother-in-law in the neighborhood when the misunderstanding occurred. Leverette claimed he recognized some of the children from the neighborhood and offered them a ride out of kindness, unaware that the school bus was on its way.
Upon realizing that his actions had frightened the children, Leverette decided to leave the area. He also provided his contact information to his brother-in-law in case parents had any concerns. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation, which included a walkthrough of Leverette’s residence, and concluded that no criminal activity had taken place. Ultimately, deputies determined that no laws were violated and labeled the incident as a misunderstanding.
Despite the clarification from law enforcement, additional concerns about children’s safety were voiced by parents in the community. Many expressed disappointment with the actions of the van’s occupants and emphasized the need for greater awareness and precautions regarding stranger danger. The Aiken County School District urged parents to discuss stranger safety with their children. They also confirmed that should a bus breakdown occur, they would not use unmarked white vans for student transport, a measure aimed at alleviating fears and fostering a sense of security.
The incident has ignited conversations among Graniteville residents regarding the necessity of implementing enhanced safety measures for children. As parents and community members reflect on this event, the overarching theme remains the importance of vigilance and communication to ensure the safety of young children in the area.
Moving forward, officials in Graniteville have encouraged all families to remain alert and engage in open discussions about safety with their children, emphasizing the significance of recognizing and responding to potentially dangerous situations. This unfortunate misunderstanding has served to strengthen community ties and has heightened awareness surrounding child safety, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the Aiken County School District continue to monitor the situation and are committed to fostering a safer environment for children and families alike in Graniteville.
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Additional Resources
- The Augusta Press
- Wikipedia: Child Safety
- WRDW
- Google Search: Stranger Danger Children Safety
- WJBF
- Google Scholar: Child Protection Laws
- Post and Courier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Neighborhood Safety
- MSN News
- Google News: Graniteville Children Safety
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.
