School Bus Monitor Arrested After Disabled 6-Year-Old Girl Dies
Amanda Davila, a 27-year-old school bus monitor, was arrested on Wednesday following the death of a disabled 6-year-old girl in her care. The incident occurred on Monday morning as they were on their way to a summertime education program in New Jersey. Davila was sitting near the front of the bus, engrossed in her cellphone and wearing earbuds, while the little girl, Fajr Williams, was several rows back in her wheelchair. The bus hit a bumpy patch of road, causing Fajr to slide down in her chair. Unbeknownst to Davila, the strap meant to secure the child had ended up tight against her throat, ultimately suffocating her.
On Thursday, Somerset County prosecutor, John P. McDonald, announced that Davila had been charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors revealed that Davila was using her cellphone with earbud headphones in both ears at the time of the incident.
Days after the tragic incident, Fajr’s mother, Najmah Nash, was still struggling to come to terms with her daughter’s death. She expressed how the loss felt unreal and described the emotional rollercoaster she was going through. Fajr, who suffered from Emanuel syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that disrupts development, was nonverbal and unable to walk. Despite her challenges, Fajr brought joy to those around her with her baby coos and happy sounds.
The Franklin Township Public Schools superintendent, Dr. John Ravally, extended his condolences to Fajr’s family and friends. The community has been deeply saddened by the tragedy, and the Franklin Township Board of Education expressed their sympathy as well. Meanwhile, officials determined that Davila violated policies and procedures by using her cellphone with earbuds in both ears. She is currently in custody at the Somerset County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.
Fajr’s mother, who works in the quality assurance department of a nonemergency medical transportation company, expressed her devastation upon learning about Davila’s actions. She called for stricter vetting of transportation companies contracted by the Board of Education to ensure the safety of their children. Ms. Nash also questioned the ratio of aides to children and the protocols for securing wheelchairs before the bus departs.
The transportation contract between the Franklin Township Board of Education and Montauk Transit is currently under scrutiny. Inquiries have been directed to Orange County Transit, but no response has been received yet.
As the investigation unfolds, Fajr’s family and the community mourn the loss of a vibrant young girl whose life was cut tragically short.
Original Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-07-20 22:57:11
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