School Officials Investigating After Special Needs Child Left on School Bus for 6 Hours

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Jones County Sheriff’s office and school officials are investigating after a special needs child was left on a school bus for nearly six hours Tuesday.

It happened Tuesday morning, after the driver completed her morning route. Jones County Schools Superintendent William Mathews says he suspects the bus driver did not follow protocol of checking each seat before exiting the bus after parking it at her house.

A school nurse examined the Dames Ferry Elementary student for injuries, but found none. After they could not reach the parents via telephone, school officials sent the special needs and transportation director to the child’s home to notify them about the incident.

41NBC spoke with Jones County deputies, who are interviewing people about the incident. There is still no word on if the bus driver will be charged.