A concerned mother was left distressed when her son, who has autism, was mistakenly dropped off by the school bus 40 miles away from their home. The boy, who left school at 3:30 pm last Friday, did not arrive home as expected, causing his family to become increasingly worried. After realizing the school bus’s GPS tracking was lost, the mother took matters into her own hands and discovered her son’s iPhone location in Danbury, far from their location.
In a frantic effort to reunite with her son, the mother coordinated with authorities, the school district, and the transportation provider. Eventually, a pickup was arranged at a gas station in Southington, approximately 10 miles away from their city. When they were finally reunited, the boy was frightened, exhausted, and in need of his usual routine due to his neurodiversity.
Sadly, this incident is not an isolated case in the area. Another parent shared a similar experience where their nonverbal, wheelchair-bound child was taken to the wrong school, causing confusion and distress. The superintendent of the school district acknowledged that there were significant issues at the start of the school year with the drivers and the bus company.
First Student has apologized for the challenges faced, promising to enhance their services. However, the school district is contemplating imposing financial penalties on the transportation provider due to these ongoing issues. The community hopes for improved services to ensure the safety and well-being of all students with special needs.