School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Child Found Driving School Bus Across Town

The Louisiana 10-year-old drives the bus from a local high school after it was apparently unlocked and the keys were left inside, officials say. The child is taken into custody.

Sadiah Thompson
Sadiah ThompsonAssistant Editor
October 1, 2019
2 min to read


JENNINGS, La. — A 10-year-old here was found over the weekend driving a school bus across town, police said.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon when officers from Jennings Police Department said they were contacted by a concerned citizen who saw a child driving along Carver St. in a Jefferson Davis Parish Schools bus, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

Ad Loading...

Police Chief Danny Semmes told KPLCthat the child rode his bike to where the buses were parked and that the buses were apparently unlocked. Semmes added that the concerned citizen walked over to the child as they were getting off the bus and attempted to distract the child until police arrived. Upon arrival, police said they discovered the child was 10 years old and had driven the bus across town from Jennings High School.

The child was taken into custody and the bus was brought back to the Jefferson Davis Parish Schools board, according to police. Semmes told KPLC that the child and his parents could possibly face charges following the incident. In particular, the parents could be charged with improper supervision of a child.

Kirk Credeur, the superintendent for the district, told the news source that the keys were left in the bus and that the district is “embarrassed” and “upset” that the incident occurred. He added that the district’s buses are used multiple times a day by multiple people, but that “human error” isn’t an excuse. Credeur also said that immediately following the incident, he spoke to the district’s transportation staff from the Jennings area and that by the end of the week, new district-wide safety protocols will be established to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future.

View a photo of the Jefferson Davis Parish Schools bus that the child drove, posted on the Jennings Police Department's Facebook page, below.

More Safety

A compilation of 3 images showing a computer monitor, a person holding a smartphone, and a female on the phone
Sponsored•November 1, 2026

From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible

Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.

Read More →
Vehicle dashboard display showing a “Caution: School Bus Stopped Ahead” warning from HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud system, designed to alert motorists to stopped school buses.
Safety•October 29, 2026

HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses

Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.

Read More →
Four women participate in a council meeting around a wooden conference table, with one speaking while the others listen. Laptops, notebooks, and drinks sit on the table.
Safety•by News/Media Release•October 23, 2026

HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council

More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet graphic showing students boarding a yellow school bus with the headline “Senate Recognized National School Bus Safety Month for 13th Year.”
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 22, 2026

What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation

The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.

Read More →
Close-up of a stop-arm enforcement camera mounted on a yellow school bus, with the headline “When Enforcement Drives Safety” and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•October 20, 2026

School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs

Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.

Read More →
Yellow school bus lying on its side after a rollover crash, with the headline “After the Crash” and subtitle “What to Do & What Matters Most,” alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•October 20, 2026

Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.

A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet graphic showing a school bus safety inspection in the background, with the headline “2026 National School Bus Safety Week” in large orange and white lettering.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 19, 2026

National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe

School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school bus behind a shattered-glass effect with the text “Multi-Vehicle Crash in FL Takes 2 Lives” and the date October 5, 2026.
Safety•by Staff and News Reports•October 6, 2026

2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash

A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.

Read More →
Close-up of an extended red stop arm with flashing lights on the side of a yellow school bus.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•September 21, 2026

Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts

With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing a yellow school crossing sign and blurred school bus with the headline, “The Back-to-School Traffic Effect.”
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 18, 2026

School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction

What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.

Read More →