11-year-old Buckingham student left on bus overnight

Published 3:42 pm Friday, February 14, 2020

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Dr. Daisy Hicks

An investigation is underway after Buckingham County Public School (BCPS) officials discovered an 11-year-old child had been left on a school bus overnight Thursday, Feb. 13. 

According to Superintendent Dr. Daisy Hicks, the BCPS transportation director received a call at approximately 6:25 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, from a mother asking about the whereabouts of her child. 

The school system immediately contacted Buckingham County Sheriff’s Department. The child was found on the school bus at 7:16 a.m. that morning. 

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Hicks said the child was confirmed to have boarded the school bus Thursday morning, but was not present at school or in class. The student’s whereabouts were unknown until officers discovered the child was still on the bus Friday morning. 

Hicks added that student safety is a top priority for the school and that alarms are in place to remind bus drivers to check the buses before and after loading students. The check is mandatory for all bus drivers. 

The bus driver has been suspended pending an investigation.