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The Montgomery County school bus aide charged with sexually abusing two children on buses for a three-year period was allowed bail on Friday, after a District Court judge reduced his bond.

Franklin Dalton Smith, 61, of the 6800 block of Riggs Road in Hyattsville in Prince George's County, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of second-degree assault, one count of second-degree child abuse, one count of third-degree sexual offense and one count of fourth-degree sexual offense.

A preliminary hearing will held Oct. 3 in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.

On Friday, District Court Judge Patricia Mitchell set Smith's bail at $10,000 with pre-trial supervision. The bail had been reduced from $60,000 on Thursday to $30,000 before the hearing. Smith's attorney, James Zafiropolos of Crofton, requested the bail reduction, saying Smith is "a man of humble means" and has no previous criminal history.

"He denies the allegations," Zafiropolos said.

Police issued a warrant for Smith's arrest after an investigation into an April 24 report that he had allegedly molested an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome on a special needs school bus and a prior allegation that Smith had inappropriately touched a 17-year-old girl on a bus in February 2005, according to a news release from Montgomery County Police.

Police say the 11-year-old has limited communication skills which hindered the investigation. But detectives, working with county Child Protective Services and school staff, were able to get consistent statements from the victim and another juvenile bus passenger who allegedly saw Smith inappropriately touch the girl on a school bus taking students to Glen Haven Elementary School on Inwood Avenue in Silver Spring, according to the release.

Detectives also interviewed a former student who had complained that in January and February 2005 Smith asked to meet her during non-school hours, made suggestive remarks and repeatedly massaged her head and shoulders while on the bus to Paint Branch High School on Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville.

This victim, who was age 17 at the time, stated that Smith touched her in a sexual manner Feb. 17, 2005, while on the bus.

Police investigated the 2005 incident but were able to compile more evidence once the Glen Haven student came forward this year, Officer Melanie Brenner, a spokeswoman for Montgomery County Police.

"We were able to get collaborating information," Brenner said.

Steve Simon, spokesman for Montgomery County Public Schools, said Smith has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Simon also said he was moved to a job site away from students.

"When the recent allegations occurred, he was placed on assignment to a [bus] depot," Simon said.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who knows of any inappropriate contact Smith may have had with a juvenile. Call Detective Toner in the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5415.