MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A preschooler was recently left on a RESA 8 school bus when the driver and aid failed to check the seats.
Berkeley County School officials said the child was left on the bus by herself for approximately four hours May 9.
General counsel for Berkeley County schools Laura Sutton told WEPM the bus driver and aid have both been dismissed from their positions.
“The drivers were employees of RESA 8 and RESA 8 has told us they are no longer employed by them.”
Sutton said Berkeley County schools immediately contacted the child’s guardians and reported the accident to the West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Although the child was found in good condition by another bus driver later in the afternoon, Sutton said the situation was inexcusable.
“Your job is to safely transport our students and to perform all of the job related functions.”
Sutton said that includes checking the seats for children that may have inadvertently been left behind.
Under different circumstances, Sutton said the situation could have been much worse.
“I realize they (the drivers) didn’t intentionally do it but it’s disappointing and it could have been tragic had it been a hot day.”
Sutton said temperatures the night before the incident had been in the 30’s and remained mild into the day.
West Virginia State Police are investigating.