Brutal attack on student

School van driver charged with 2 counts of rape of a child in Brookline

­­­BOSTON. A school van driver raped a Brookline elementary school student in the back of his vehicle last week, authorities said.

Israel Santiago, 41, of Roslindale, was arraigned yesterday on two counts of aggravated rape, kidnapping and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. A parent called police Sunday morning alleging that her special needs daughter was assaulted two days before at Larz Anderson Park.

According to police, Santiago, who works with YCN Transportation, carried out the attack while driving the victim home Friday.

“The allegations are horrible. I’m a superintendent and also a parent and I can’t imagine what the families of this perpetrator, of the victim and of the other families in our district are going through as they experience this and hear this news,” said Brookline Superintendent of Schools William Lupini.

Santiago was arrested Monday after agreeing to be questioned by Brookline authorities. He pleaded not guilty and was held on $20,000 bail. If he posts bail he is barred from having any contact with children under 16.

Lupini said social workers and counselors will be available in Brookline schools.