SOUTH BARRINGTON - A school-bus driver from Lake in the Hills faces misdemeanor charges for inappropriately touching four elementary school students, according to the South Barrington Police Department.

John Petrone, 68, of the 1100 block of Heavens Gate, was charged Thursday with four misdemeanor counts of battery. He was released the same day after posting bond.

An investigation was launched in April after a report of a student being inappropriately touched by Petrone on a bus route serving Barbara Rose Elementary School of Barrington School District 220, according to police Detective Bryant Haniszewski.

The Barrington Transportation Co. placed Petrone on unpaid suspension April 16 at the request of the district following the complaint, a company official said. It is unknown how long he has worked for the business.

Police later identified three other victims, all from Hoffman Estates, Haniszewski said.

Petrone had previously driven routes serving North Barrington School and Barrington Middle School-Prairie Campus, according to police.

Haniszewski declined to comment further on the nature of the inappropriate touching.

The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.