Overview
- A 4-year-old was found alone inside a closed Johnson School Bus Service vehicle at the company lot after not arriving home from the afternoon route on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
- Investigators said interior temperatures topped 100°F and the child was visibly hot and partially clothed, but parents declined medical treatment and the child was not injured.
- The bus driver, a 69-year-old with nearly five years of experience, told investigators he did not perform the required manual post-route check and was not arrested.
- Officials said the vehicle’s electronic child-reminder alarm had been reported as malfunctioning and replacement parts were on order, and company policy still requires drivers to physically check the bus after each route.
- The Washington County Sheriff’s Office plans to refer a possible child-neglect charge to the Washington County District Attorney and Johnson School Bus Service says it is retraining staff and reviewing procedures, prompting local parents to demand stronger safeguards.