Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee boy with Down syndrome abandoned on bus

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Milwaukee police arrested a bus driver accused of leaving a toddler unattended on her bus. The boy by no means made it to high school and was finally discovered close to Potawatomi Resort & On line casino. 

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His mom hopes for accountability, and it seems like she’ll get it, with police referring prison prices. She’s simply joyful to know her son is secure after a morning she described as a guardian’s worst nightmare.

Along with her son by her facet and his favourite present on TV, Deborah Smith could not assist however surprise why.

“He is a giant child that loves everyone,” mentioned Smith.

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Round 7:30 Thursday morning, Jan. 12, she watched as her son, Nick, boarded the bus like he at all times does. The 15-year-old has Down syndrome and receives door-to-door bus rides to Riverside Excessive College.

Ninety minutes later, Nick’s trainer despatched her a textual content saying Nick by no means made it to class.

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“I think about God, however I used to be terrified,” mentioned Smith. “I used to be completely terrified.”

It took 4 telephone calls to Wisconsin Central College Bus and a lacking individual’s report with Milwaukee police for Smith to search out her son. When he wakened round 9 a.m., the bus was parked exterior Potawatomi Resort & On line casino with nobody else on board – not even the driving force.

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“He mentioned, ‘She left me, and she or he by no means got here again,’” mentioned Smith.

Smith mentioned a stranger noticed Nick, known as police and stayed with him till officers arrived.  Police mentioned the driving force, a 38-year-old lady, was arrested on a toddler neglect cost.

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The bus firm mentioned the driving force was positioned on go away pending an investigation, noting insurance policies requiring drivers totally test the bus earlier than leaving it unattended.

Again at house, the Smiths mentioned they’re simply joyful to be collectively, understanding the day may’ve ended in a different way.

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“My son was deserted, and that is not OK,” mentioned Smith.

Smith mentioned she’ll be driving Nick to high school any further.

Wisconsin Central College Bus assertion

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“At Wisconsin Central College Bus, the security and well-being of all college students is our high precedence. We’re conscious of an incident that occurred this morning in Milwaukee, WI, the place a scholar was left unattended in a faculty bus after the AM route. We’re within the strategy of performing an intensive investigation and taking motion to stop this sort of incident. The motive force concerned has been positioned on go away throughout investigation, and our observe is to not touch upon final employment selections for workers. To be clear, we’ve insurance policies in place that drivers full an intensive baby test of the bus on the finish of every route and previous to leaving any car unattended. As well as, we keep a Zero Tolerance coverage for drivers who’re discovered to have left a toddler unattended. We worth the security and wellbeing of each scholar we offer companies for and can proceed our concentrate on secure, high quality transportation.”

Milwaukee Public Colleges assertion

“The district is grateful the coed was positioned secure and sound. Milwaukee Public Colleges has a zero-tolerance coverage for any driver who might go away a scholar unattended throughout their shift. The district has been knowledgeable that the driving force of this bus has been terminated by the transportation firm.  This matter has been reported to the Milwaukee Police Division. The coed was in a position to return to high school for the rest of the day.”



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