A New Jersey mother is seeking answers and justice after a heartbreaking tragedy claimed the life of her 6-year-old daughter, who was a wheelchair user, during a school bus ride.
The incident has left the community in shock and raised concerns about the safety of students with disabilities on school transportation. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child's death, and a school bus monitor has been charged in connection with the incident.
New Jersey School Bus Incident Claims a Life
According to WABC, the somber events unfolded during a seemingly routine school bus ride on Monday morning, when a 6-year-old girl, who relied on a wheelchair for mobility, was being transported to an extended school year program in Franklin Township, New Jersey.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, the child tragically became unresponsive during the journey, leading to her untimely death.
Preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation suggest that a series of bumps on the road caused the young girl to slump in her wheelchair seat. Tragically, the 4-point harness designed to secure her to the chair became tight around her neck, ultimately blocking her airway and resulting in her demise.
The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place for students with mobility challenges during school transportation.
Monitor Reveals Negligence To the 6-Year-Old Wheelchair User
As the investigation progresses, attention has turned to the school bus monitor responsible for securing the child to her wheelchair.
According to the New York Post, the monitor, identified as 27-year-old Amanda Davila from New Brunswick, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutors allege that Davila was seated near the front of the bus and was distracted by a cellular telephone while wearing earbud headphones in both ears, a clear violation of established policies and procedures.
Authorities are also looking into the process of selecting transportation providers and ensuring that proper protocols are followed to safeguard the well-being of all students, especially those with special needs.
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Demand for Accountability: Mother Speaks Out
According to ABC News, Najmah Nash, the devastated mother of the young girl, addressed the local school board during a meeting, demanding answers and accountability for the tragedy that claimed her daughter's life.
In her emotional plea, she questioned the district's transportation provider selection process and urged the board to conduct an independent investigation into the incident to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Nash has found support among other parents of disabled students who attended the board meeting to echo her call for change. She emphasized the need for united action to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their physical abilities.
The school bus monitor charged in connection with the incident was an employee of Montauk Transit, a transportation company based in Somerset, New Jersey. The company's president, John Mensch, expressed profound grief over the loss of the young girl and extended condolences to her family.
Mensch asserted that the safety of the children they transport has always been their top priority and that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation.
