MANCHESTER, N.H. — A school bus driver and monitor were fired after a preschool student with special needs was left on a bus for about half an hour, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.

The boy fell asleep on the bus on the way to school. After dropping off students at the school, the bus driver dropped the monitor off at her home for lunch and then continued to his own home. When the driver picked up the monitor, the boy was found, according to Karen Van Der Beken, senior vice president for development and communications at Easter Seals. (The driver and monitor worked for Special Transportation Services, a company owned by Easter Seals New Hampshire to provide transportation services for special-needs students in Manchester.)     

After the boy was found, the company dispatcher and Manchester School District headquarters were called, and the bus driver was told to take the child to the school. The bus driver and monitor were then placed on administrative leave, and the next day, they were fired.

To read the full story, click here.

Other news on students left behind on buses:

• Special-needs student left on bus

• Bus driver, aide charged for leaving student on bus