Student left on bus for 4 hours

A kindergartner’s first day of school caused panic for his family after the student was left alone on a locked bus for several hours.

The boy had been on his way to his first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Monacacy Elementary Center, but never got off the bus, according to Daniel Boone Area School District Superintendent James P. Harris. The bus included students from several schools in the district.

“The bus left, had no other drop-offs and went back to their transportation parking garage lot,” explained Harris. “From

what I understand, the driver never checked the bus and left. By procedure the driver is supposed to check to look for backpacks, pencils and sleeping students. He locked up the bus and went about his business.”

WFMZ identified the boy as 5-year- old Prince Oquendo.

“Roll was taken and sent to the office. Generally a call goes out if the parent didn’t call saying the student was going to be out. No call went out. Ultimately what it comes down to is it was the first day of school and not everyone knew what was supposed to be going on. Procedure was not followed that day,” said Harris.

When Prince’s mother, Michelle, did not see her son get off the bus at the end of the half- day, she called the school. She was then informed that her son had been marked absent.

After a search was initiated, Prince was located inside the locked bus at the parking lot of New Rhoads Transportation off Weavertown Road at around 12:45 p.m.

Oquendo later found out from her son that he attempted to get the driver’s attention by banging on the bus door, WFMZ said.

Harris stated that he was told the driver was immediately terminated following the incident.

The boy was taken back to the school to be picked up by his mother, said Harris. Reports stated that after the boy was found, he was treated at a hospital for dehydration because he had been left without food or water in the 85 degree heat.

Harris added that the school apologized for the incident and offered counseling for the child.

The district held a meeting for parents to update them on the situation. A representative of the bus company also attended the session.