A devastating incident in New Jersey has led to the arrest of a school bus monitor, Amanda Davila, who has been charged in the tragic death of a 6-year-old girl with special needs.
The young child, who suffered from Emanuel syndrome, a rare chromosome disorder that left her unable to speak or walk, lost her life when a harness securing her to her wheelchair tightened around her neck, cutting off her airway during a bus ride to school.
This heart-wrenching incident has raised concerns about child safety protocols and the responsibilities of those entrusted with the well-being of vulnerable students.
Unveiling the Tragedy - A Fatal Bus Ride
According to Daily Mail, the incident occurred on a Monday morning when the school bus, operated by Montauk Transit under contract with the Franklin Township Board of Education, was transporting children to school.
The 6-year-old girl, whose name was not disclosed, was seated at the back of the bus in her wheelchair. The responsibility of securing her wheelchair fell upon Amanda Davila, the school bus monitor on duty that day.
As the bus journeyed along the route, a series of bumps in the road caused the child to slump in her wheelchair. Tragically, the 4-point harness that was meant to secure her to the chair ended up tightening around her neck, leading to asphyxiation.
Shockingly, Davila remained oblivious to the child's plight as she was seated towards the front of the bus, engrossed in her cellphone activities while wearing earbud headphones, a violation of policies and procedures.
Vanessa Miranda, the spokesperson for the Franklin Township Board of Education, expressed to The Times via email that the community was deeply saddened by the recent tragedy.
According to prosecutors, the investigation conducted by the police revealed that Davila's actions during the Monday morning ride were in violation of established policies and procedures.
As of now, information regarding an attorney representing the school staffer remains unclear, as the police brought her to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office without incident.
Seeking Justice for the Tragic Loss
As per CBS, the incident was reported to authorities after the bus arrived at the school, and emergency responders immediately performed CPR on the unresponsive child. She was rushed to a local hospital's intensive care unit but was tragically pronounced dead.
Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald's office launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young girl's death.
Following the investigation, Amanda Davila, 26, of New Brunswick, was taken into custody at the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office without incident on Wednesday.
She has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. As of Thursday, she remains in custody at the Somerset County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
Grieving Family and Demands for Accountability
The girl's family is left heartbroken by the loss of their beloved daughter.
NBC News reported that Wali Williams, expressed the anguish of witnessing his daughter's final moments without oxygen in her brain for nearly 40 minutes.
The child's mother, Namjah Nash Williams, fondly remembered her daughter's sweet demeanor, infectious laughter, and enduring spirit despite her physical challenges.
The grieving family has vowed to take action to ensure that similar tragedies never happen again. They call on the town's board to thoroughly vet transportation companies and hold them accountable for the safety of children with special needs. Their pain and loss have sparked discussions about improving safety protocols and training for school bus staff across New Jersey.
