A bus driver transporting dozens of children home from school is in hot water after she abruptly abandoned the bus mid-route in Newark, New Jersey.
The driver, who was working despite a suspended license, stopped dropping children off at their homes last Thursday and instead drove home, parked the bus, got out, and walked away, reported ABC News’ WABC.
Among the 14 children on the bus was 11-year-old special needs student Amber Easterling, who overheard the driver tell the bus attendant "you gonna have to handle these kids yourself."
Parents grew worried when their children did not return home and contacted the police, who were able to find the bus and take the students to a nearby precinct to be picked up.
Amber's mother, Angele Easterling, said she was sick with worry when, by 4 p.m., her daughter was still not home.
"I was cleaning up, getting my daughter's food ready for dinner and I realized it was four o'clock and she wasn't home," she said.
"I’m still sick on my stomach because, right now, I’m not letting my daughter take the bus to school," Angele continued. "I’m just mad about it because, you know, there are a lot of things happening out here on the street, kids getting missing."
Newark Public Schools released a statement saying that it would no longer use the bus company, Mercy USA, for Avon Avenue School students.
"The district has removed this vendor from transporting students to Avon Avenue School and is in the process of determining next steps regarding future services," the statement said. "In addition, because established guidelines were not adhered to, the district has also imposed liquated financial damages for this infraction. This continues to be an active investigation."
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
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