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Grandmother files formal complaint after 11-year-old left by substitute bus driver; board pledges follow-up
Summary
At the June 18 Waterbury Board of Education meeting, Betty Johnson described an incident on June 17 in which a substitute school bus driver allegedly forced her 11-year-old granddaughter off the bus in an unfamiliar, high-traffic area; the child was found about three hours later. Johnson demanded termination, preservation of footage and a police investigation; district staff said they would follow up.
Betty Johnson, who gave her address as 65 Derain Street, told the Waterbury Board of Education on June 18 that her 11-year-old granddaughter was left by a substitute bus driver on June 17 after repeatedly telling the driver she was not at her stop.
"This bus driver's actions constitute criminal endangerment of a minor," Johnson said, describing the child as "exhausted, severely dehydrated, and sobbing uncontrollably" when found at a gas station after about three hours. Johnson said the family had involved police and the Department of Children and Families and asked the district for immediate actions including termination of the substitute driver, preservation and review of exterior and interior bus camera footage, and evidence of contractor training and contractual accountability.
Board members and staff expressed sympathy and told Johnson that district staff would collect a further written report and follow up. Johnson told the board her daughter had already spoken with Jeff Hunter and that the family expected a written response describing next steps.
The board did not take any formal action on the complaint during the meeting. Officials said they would refer the matter to administration and to the transportation contractor for investigation and that staff would contact Johnson with additional information.
Context: Johnson framed her complaint around district policy and Connecticut state transportation responsibilities for contracted bus companies. At the meeting she urged the board to preserve evidence and pursue both administrative and criminal accountability if warranted. The board scheduled staff follow-up and a future meeting with the bus contractor in August; no disciplinary or contract decisions were announced at the June 18 meeting.
