EDITOR’S NOTE: The Times Leader presents a look back at the past year this week with Eastern Ohio’s Top 10 stories of 2023, as selected by the newspaper’s editorial staff.

BELMONT — A fight between students on a Union Local school bus garnered attention when video of it was recorded and posted on social media in April, and the inappropriate behavior did not end there as the father of the apparent aggressor eventually would plead guilty to threatening the bus driver who broke up the fight.

In June, David Miller, 50, of Belmont was given a suspended sentence of 90 days in jail and two years of probation by Belmont County Western Division Court Judge Eric Costine. According to court records, Miller is in the process of confirming the completion of his 40 hours of community service.

Miller pleaded guilty to first-degree misdemeanor aggravated menacing in the case.

The inciting incident caught on video shows Miller’s son being restrained by the bus driver, shouting profanity and apparently striking the driver.

After the boy was dropped off at home, Miller reportedly threatened the driver.

He later apologized during the sentencing hearing, saying he spoke rashly because his “emotions were high” and he believed his son had been assaulted by the bus driver and that excessive force had been used.

Miller was told the evidence did not support this. The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office and Union Local officials also said they found the bus driver had acted appropriately during a very difficult situation. School officials said protocol was followed.

Costine commented during the sentencing.

“The bus driver was doing what he should have done that day. … He was doing that, you jumped to conclusions about what was going on and you acted out, jumping to conclusions. I’m afraid I see this all too often today, when parents get involved in protecting children.”

Costine added that while it is natural for parents to be protective of their children, they should be sure of the facts.

“We can’t jump to conclusions that everyone else is wrong, and that’s what society is doing at this time,” Costine said from the bench.

Shortly after the April incident, the 14-year-old boy was arrested after reportedly threatening the school district on social media. He was later released from the Sargus Juvenile Detention Center. According to the juvenile court, the boy remains on probation but is participating in online schooling and doing well.