By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – A former Tomahawk Bus Company driver accused of refusing to drop off students at their homes and instead driving to the company’s parking location reached a plea deal this week.
The agreement stems from an incident that occurred on Jan. 18, 2023, in which Debra K. Decker, 63, of Tomahawk, reportedly frustrated with the behavior of students on the bus, drove the bus back to the Tomahawk Bus Company’s location on Kaphaem Rd. rather than bringing the students to their destinations. The route was completed by another driver.
The following day, the School District of Tomahawk said Decker was cooperating with a Tomahawk Police Department investigation and would no longer transport district students.
Decker appeared in Lincoln County court on Wednesday, Feb. 7, facing 41 felony counts of false imprisonment and one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. Judge Galen Bayne-Allison dismissed the false imprisonment charges as part of a plea deal, according to court records.
Decker pleaded no contest to the count of disorderly conduct. Under a deferred agreement, the charge will be dismissed if Decker follows several court-imposed guidelines over the next 12 months.