A Bladen County Public Schools bus driver has been hit with multiple sex offense charges involving students on his bus.

This article has been updated with additional charges.

DAVID EARL DENKINS

Name: David Earl Denkins
Age: 63
Charge(s): 8 total charges; additional charges likely.

• Two counts of taking indecent liberties with a student by school personnel other than a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer or coach. This is also known in NC statutes as taking indecent liberties with a student. (Class G Felony)
• Two counts Indecent liberties with a child (Class F Felony)
• Two counts sexual battery (A1 Misdemeanor)
• Two counts child abuse (A1 Misdemeanor)

New Charges as of April 24, 2024: 

According to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, nine more kids have come forward with allegations that Denkins sexually abused them. He now faces an additional nine counts each of taking indecent liberties with a student by school personnel other than a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer or coach, indecent liberties with a child, misdemeanor Sexual battery, and misdemeanor Child abuse.

Here are the new charge totals with the nine new additions:

11 counts of taking indecent liberties with a student by school personnel other than a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer or coach. This is also known in NC statutes as taking indecent liberties with a student. (Class G Felony)
11counts Indecent liberties with a child (Class F Felony)
11counts sexual battery (A1 Misdemeanor)
11 counts child abuse (A1 Misdemeanor)

Charge Type(s): (View Sentencing Chart)
Arrest Date: April 15, 2024
Bond Details: $1 million bond; unposted. Incarcerated in the Bladen County Detention Center as of April 15, 2024. Update: Denkins initial bond was $2 million. A judge added a new bond of $1.8 million for the new charges, bringing his bond to $3.8 million.

Victim /Case Details: 

[Via Bladen County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook]

𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬
On April 10, 2024 the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an incident with a bus driver and a student. A thorough investigation began immediately by our Criminal Investigations Division.
Over the past few days Bladen County Sheriff’s Office has received notification from several additional parents stating their children have came forward with similar complaints against the same bus driver.
David Earl Denkins, 63 of Tar Heel, NC has been charged with (2) Felony Taking indecent liberties with a student by school personnel other than a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer or coach. (2) Felony Indecent liberties with a child. (2) Misdemeanor Sexual battery. (2) Misdemeanor Child abuse.
He is currently being held at Bladen County Detention Center under a $ 1,000,000.00 Secured Bond. His bond was later reduced to half a million.
This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
If you have any additional information about this case please contact our office at 910-862-6960.
NOTE: The Sheriff’s Office does not issue or determine bond amounts. This is done through a judicial official, such as a judge or magistrate, as per N.C. General Statute 15A-532. Many factors are considered when determining bond amounts.

District: Bladen County Public Schools
Current Role: Bus Driver
History:  Currently unknown; awaiting response from district.
Employment status: Suspended, per the district.

Statement from District: 

“Bladen County Schools was informed that an arrest was made Monday evening. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Mr. Denkins’ employment with Bladen County Schools has been terminated effective immediately. We are devastated by these allegations. Our focus now is supporting our students and cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation.

Upon learning of allegations on Tuesday [April 9, 2024], immediate action was taken to protect the safety of our students. Denkins was immediately suspended from Bladen County Schools and all information was turned over to law enforcement for their investigation. The district has been working closely with law enforcement during this time.

Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the school system will have no further comment at this time.”

NC Teacher License Information: Not applicable

Updates
Denkins’ court case in Bladen County (25CR001208-080) lists the following charges, some of which go back to the early 1980s.

1. SECOND DEGREE RAPE – 08/20/1991
2. SECOND DEGREE RAPE  – 10/01/1994
3. FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL OFFENSE – 10/01/1983
4.  SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL OFFENSE – 10/01/1994
5. INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD – 10/01/1994
6. INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD – 10/01/1994
7. CRIME AGAINST NATURE – 10/01/1994