Driver fired for leaving student with autism alone on bus

The Fulton County (Ga.) Schools driver did not walk through the bus to check for students at the end of the route. The student fell asleep on the bus and was alone for two-and-a-half hours.

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March 2, 2015

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FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Schools fired a bus driver for leaving a 12-year-old student with autism and asthma alone on the bus for two-and-a-half hours, WSB-TV reports.

The student, Courtney Elder, told the news outlet he fell asleep on the bus ride to school, and was alone, confused, scared and cold when he woke up. He added that he eventually managed to leave the bus, and a transportation worker found him and contacted his grandmother. His grandmother took him to the hospital because the cold can affect his asthma, according to WSB-TV.

A spokesperson for Fulton County Schools told the news outlet the bus driver failed to walk through the bus to check for students at the end of the route, and that the district fired the driver after learning what happened.

To read the full story, go here.

Topics:Georgia post-trip child check Special Needs Transportation

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