A Florida school bus driver is facing criminal charges after allegedly forgetting a 6-year-old boy on her bus and failing to notice that he had not been dropped off at school. Authorities say the child was later found walking alone in a residential area after waking up on the parked bus and getting off by himself.
Florida Bus Driver Arrested After Child Left on School Bus
According to authorities, 62-year-old Patricia Barberena has been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm following an incident involving a young student who was left unattended on a school bus.
The case came to light when deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a young boy walking alone near Southwest 298th Terrace and Southwest 153rd Place. A concerned passerby noticed the child and contacted authorities.
When deputies located the boy, they learned he was just six years old and should have been at school. Investigators later determined that the child had fallen asleep during the bus ride and was never dropped off at his destination.
Child Reportedly Fell Asleep During Route
According to the probable cause affidavit, Barberena was operating the school bus and believed she had completed all of her scheduled drop-offs. Investigators say she drove the bus back to her home, parked it nearby, and went inside without checking whether any students remained on board.
Authorities allege that Barberena failed to conduct the required inspection of the bus after finishing her route. As a result, she reportedly did not realize that the sleeping child was still inside the vehicle.
Approximately 15 minutes after the bus was parked, the boy woke up and exited the bus on his own.
School Alerts Driver After Student Fails to Arrive
The situation came to light when school officials noticed that the child never arrived at school. According to investigators, the school contacted Barberena to inform her that the student was missing.
After receiving the call, Barberena reportedly rushed outside to search for the child. Around the same time, deputies had already located the boy and were investigating how he ended up alone in the neighbourhood.
Fortunately, authorities confirmed that the child was not injured during the incident. He was later reunited with his father.
Driver Allegedly Admitted Failing to Check Bus
Following the incident, deputies transported Barberena to a police station for questioning. After being advised of her legal rights, she reportedly admitted that she had not inspected the bus to ensure all students had exited.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators stated that Barberena acknowledged failing to check the rear of the bus before ending her route.
The name of the school where the child was supposed to be dropped off was not included in court documents.
Child Neglect Charge Filed
Authorities charged Barberena with child neglect without great bodily harm. Investigators allege that she knowingly failed to provide the supervision necessary to protect the child’s wellbeing and safety.
Court documents state that law enforcement believed the driver’s actions placed the child in a potentially dangerous situation by leaving him unattended on the bus and allowing him to wander alone after waking up.
The incident has raised concerns about student transportation safety and the procedures bus drivers are required to follow after completing their routes.
Driver Released on Bond
Following her arrest, Barberena was taken to the Miami-Dade Jail. Records show that she later posted a $2,500 bond and was released from custody.
She has pleaded not guilty to the charge against her. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 31, when the case is expected to continue through the legal process.
