UPDATE: South Bend student reportedly left on bus

WSBT-TV and Tribune Staff Report

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 4, 2008 at 4:59 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — School officials confirm they are investigating a report that a 5-year-old child was left on a school bus Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the South Bend Community School Corp. said Interim Superintendent James Kapsa is gathering information from the child’s parents, school and the transportation department.

"I lost one son,” said the boy’s mother Judy Holtsclaw. “I don't want to lose another one. I put the trust into their hands when I let him go to school.”

“Drivers are to check their buses when they finish their routes,” said Director of Transportation Judith Dahlstrom. “They are to walk their buses and use the child checkmate system which we have in place in all our buses."

It is believed the child was a student at Kennedy Primary Academy.

Stay with WSBT.com and The South Bend Tribune for updates.

Saturday, Sep 6 at 4:09 PM Judy wrote ...

To the "MOTHER" that wrote she hopes I don't have any other kids, yes I do actually I have 7 kids all together and any REAL MOTHER knows when you put a child on a bus/car for amount of time they get relaxed and fall asleep. He gets plenty of sleep, sorry for your ignorace..lol

Saturday, Sep 6 at 10:03 AM Bert wrote ...

Let me tell you all and Mr. Kapsa something. The kids are also neglected by some of your teachers. There is so much stuff going on like Edwards and Palin. You have divorced and married teachers having affairs with one another and also with the janitors and the groundseepers. when they should be teaching your kids they are screwing around. Think why they can't pass tests. I bet you my pention I am right. The old bus drivers know how to keep an eye on their kids and what goes on.

Saturday, Sep 6 at 5:30 AM Why ask why? wrote ...

To Debbie... The comment you wrote about welfare was childish and LOW! Coming from someone who is not on welfare i still think you need help! Why would you place your fingers on your computer to type that bull I will never figure out. You have really lost focus!

Saturday, Sep 6 at 2:49 AM David wrote ...

it's the school bus drivers fault, plain and simple. she OBVIOUSLY didn't check the bus. I'd be just as furious as the mother. I don't have any children, but if my nephew or neice was EVER left on a bus, i'd be so ticked off, and the SBCSC wouldn't hear the end of it.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:17 PM Mother wrote ...

I think if the mother would make sure the child got the 9-10 hours of sleep per night, he'd be awake during the bus ride. Yeah, the bus driver was at fault, but so was the mother. I hope she doesn't have more kids.

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:46 PM A serious driver wrote ...

Dear Humble; If I told you I have been a bus driver for 13 years, trained new drivers, taught veteran drivers new policies for safety and conducted over 60 safety seminars for drivers all over the state, if I told you that would I be qualified to address this issue? There is no other side. There is no acceptable excuse. There is no reasson to believe that this person will not make this 'mistake' again. The long, the short, the good the bad and the ugly is; this driver is a danger to children.

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:25 PM To BJK100 wrote ...

I work at an elementary school in Plymouth. I have noticed that one bus driver in particular walks to the back of her bus every day after she drops off the children. She then puts a sign in the back window that reads "Bus Empty". I'm not sure if this is something that all plymouth bus drivers do or not, but I think it is a great idea.

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:52 PM Former SBCSC Driver wrote ...

Let me tell you this will happen again over this school year. Too many drivers "let students" push the red button just so the driver doesn't have to *gasp* leave their seat! I know what it takes to drive a school bus and I REFUSE to ever drive for South Bend again! I would rather drive 30mins one way to another school to do the same job for better pay and benefits where someone actually "cares" about the students who ride the bus. This driver needs fired, but they'd would hire some other idiot.

Friday, Sep 5 at 3:42 PM Hmmm wrote ...

I am sure being a bus driver has a great deal of stress and responsibility. What stress is there AFTER the bus is parked and off at the school bus lot? There is NO excuse for this to happen AT ALL.

Friday, Sep 5 at 2:18 PM Me wrote ...

To the mom of the 5 year old or anyone else, It doesn't matter if he was sleeping on the floor or hiding. That bus driver had a responsibility which he/she failed to follow through with! They need to be fired period! That bus should have been checked when the last child got off. That boy should have never made it to the transportation lot! Shame on you bus driver!!!! Is is to much to ask PLEASE CHECK THE BUS!

Friday, Sep 5 at 2:05 PM HUMBLE wrote ...

It is great to read so many differant ideas on something that most know nothing about. I read where it is everyone's fault, drivers, teachers, child and anyone else that you can think of ---GET A LIFE -- and quit blaming others for your inadequacies. Why don't you wait and see what really happened before passing judgment on others. Everyone has an opinion , BUT OPINIONS ARE LIKE ARMPITS WE ALL HAVE THEM BUT SOME OF THEM STINK.

Friday, Sep 5 at 12:31 PM Andrew wrote ...

To SBBusDriver, you as well should lose your job... How can you blame a 5 year old for falling asleep on his bus ride, which is not 10 mins. As a bus driver shouldnt you care about kids instead of making rude comments about them? Bus drivers should make sure every child is safe and at school before they leave the school parking lot. How about we lock you in a bus when you were five years old and see if your even smart enough to get out...

Friday, Sep 5 at 10:58 AM Judy Holtsclaw wrote ...

Well I am the Mother of the 5 year old LEFT ON THE BUS.No he was NOT sleeping on the floor. To all you idoits all i can say is I hope and pray that nothing every happens to your kids that you and your children have to go through this..I am not and will not say all bus drivers are bad, matter of fact I LOVE HIS PM Driver, she is just awesome...But due to someone neglect, my child had a bad nightmare last night and is not wanting to stay at school with out mom. now tell a 5 year old it will be ok.

Friday, Sep 5 at 10:04 AM HEY SBBusDriver wrote ...

Of course it wasn't a tragedy. He was found before it got that far. Thins what could have happened to his poor boy with no food or water or place to use the facilities until the end of the day. We all know how HOT buses are. This could have ended VERY badly. Children die everyday from their parent leaving them in vehicles. Plus, this how scared this little child must have been. Bus drivers are to ensure that our children make it to school safely. The tragedy is that (s)he still works there.

Friday, Sep 5 at 10:03 AM One who knows wrote ...

The most difficult part of being a bus operator is trying to focus on the fact that it is not as easy as it seems. When we start doing things without thinking about what it is we are doing we are taking things for granted. We are becoming complacent. We make all the stops, we watch all the kids get off, we see no heads in the mirrors; ahh, another good day. We have rules for a reason and the best drivers not only enforce them, they follow them. That means doing things we think are unnecessary.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:54 AM Elkhart Bus Driver wrote ...

To 9:02 a.m. SBBusDriver: YOU are the type of incompentant bus driver everyone talks about. Part of the walk through involves checking under seats, and it's not that hard to do. The child WAS in danger. They stated on the news that he found a STRANGER to help him find his bus driver. How is that NOT dangerous? Luckily he was able to get out or he could have become very ill or worse like other children left in vehicles this year. Just because it's a bus doesn't mean it won't become hot. Moron.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:52 AM I'm a PROUD Bus Driver wrote ...

If I had the juice you people who are identifying yourselves as busdrivers and defending the driver in this case would follow that driver right out the door. THIS WAS NOT A MISTAKE! YES, a child can hide on a bus but if you can't find them then you are the all time worst hide and seek player ever! NO DANGER? Do the world a favor and burn your license, while it's still in the pockets of the pants you're wearing. The child was roaming around a BUS LOT! Caring people do not leave buses unchecked!

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:34 AM anon wrote ...

I have never seen such a collective group of morons as those making remarks on this story..while entertaining...it is still just a tad bit scary. Except for Ding Ding

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:06 AM Don't Judge wrote ...

All of you negative people have no clue what we as bus drivers have to do everyday -- and everyone is allowed to make a mistake and who is to say that this child was not hiding on the floor as they sometimes do?? We try to do the best job in the world and get everyone to school. Fear of what will happen if you don't do this and that will sometimes make you forget all the right things to do!! The driver is an excellent caring person -- she cares and is not lazy--it just was a mistake!!

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:02 AM SBBusDriver wrote ...

Whah!!!!A Child got left on the bus. What a tragedy. NOT!!!! (He was never in danger) Please parents, take your kids to school. Little Johny was probably hiding under the seats. How could he be sleeping on a 10 minute ride to school in the summer time. Its a wonder she didn't have the mayor with her also. Maybe mommy dearest is probably upset she wasn't picked as McCain's Vp choice

Friday, Sep 5 at 8:39 AM Mmmm Writes wrote ...

A few years ago, A Black bus driver was fired for leaving a kid on the bus. Last year, a white bus driver left a kid on the bus and if was covered up. What will happen to this bus driver? Mmmm

Friday, Sep 5 at 8:17 AM put the blame where it belongs wrote ...

who hires these bus drivers !!!!!!!!! Lets start off right & do a better job of screening these people before they get hired !!!!!!!!! OK

Friday, Sep 5 at 12:21 AM Anonymous wrote ...

After reading these and several comments at the Tribune site I must say that for 4 years I have watched one bus driver do what 6 before him could not. He has earned the respect of his kids and confidence of their parents. That is MOST parents. From the beginning he has taught them to line up after leaving the bus and wait for his signal to cross the street. This year we have new parents who feel their children are not subject to the rules. Most drivers are good, most parents don't lift a finger.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 11:57 PM A fan wrote ...

I don't know who this 'Cornfusion' character is but their comments are right on the money and fun to read! Keep them coming please.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 11:24 PM Bus Drivers Spouse wrote ...

My spouse is a Contract Bus Driver for South Bend Schools. I can tell you I am not proud of South Bend Schools. But just because the bus drivers don't necessarily have a college education, doesn't mean they aren't as good as a teacher. I hope this little 5 year old is okay. Being a bus driver is not a bad job. You can make at least $20,000.00 a year just for a part time job, you are guaranteed 4.5 hours a day. And that's if you only do a route. So don't judge if you don't know.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 10:45 PM Debbie wrote ...

Well they can always put a parent that is on welfare or foodstamps to be a bus monitor. that helps them pay back some of the money they get every month. and it will help the school and the person who gets the free help. they can help earn it and that will make them feel better, that way they can make sure no child is left behind. so all the parents who do not work and draw, put in some time on the bus or some other way to help earn your benefits. just a thought. Drivers ck your buses

Thursday, Sep 4 at 10:12 PM A mishawaka mom wrote ...

9:13 PM ok, parents can transport their children but it is really unnecassary to do so. The difference parents could and SHOULD make is to make sure they know who their childs driver is. If nothing but a phone conversation, exchange names and let the driver know they are interested in helping and supporting the driver to maintain a safe bus. Our neighbor thinks the driver that drives our children is a monster. We have had this drive for 3 years and are hoping for another 3. They're great!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 10:01 PM A PHM driver. wrote ...

We may not all be college educated but you would be hard pressed to find anyone that is more committed to the safety of the students they drive. This was NOT an accident. This was negligence, laziness, total disregard for the objective in which the person was contracted to achieve. There is no excuse and there should be no discussion about it, this person is in the wrong line of work and needs to find a job where their work ethic will not endanger others. Great bus drivers do it as a vocation.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 9:54 PM To Bjk 100 & Judithydah & Judy. wrote ...

MOST buses are equipped with devices that require a button to be pushed to reset an alarm that will go off if it is not activated. Of course this was designed to make it ALMOST impossible for a driver to avoid a dreaded walk through of their bus. Care to know how many drivers ask the last student on the bus to push that button before the student exits the bus? It's likely that the bus this child was left on has one. I'm guessing it is a corp owned bus and those are more likely to be so equipped.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 9:13 PM ok wrote ...

Hellooooo people...look at what your saying...my gosh..we as parents yes have a choice to let our children ride a bus or not, but sorry it has nothing to do with getting the parents involved that a bus driver would leave a five year old a sleep at that on a bus..that has nothing to do with the parents.the parents are doing there role they should be and making sure the kids get on the bus at the right time and place.its not our responsibility once the child gets on the bus its the drivers and sch

Thursday, Sep 4 at 9:05 PM judy wrote ...

Bkj100, to your response..they do have a "safty button" or whatever it may be called that the BUS DRIVER is supposed to push after all the kids are off the bus..this is to ensure that they walk through to the back of the bus and to make sure the kids,items are not there...

Thursday, Sep 4 at 9:01 PM JudithDal wrote ...

The blame need to be on the Transportation Director. The Bus Drivers havn't had a raise in 8 years. She now employs drivers who can't Find Hay School from Hamilton school.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 8:53 PM wfml wrote ...

Lost has an idea. Parents should be more involved. Save money, balance the budget, preserve the environment. Cut the buses and have the parents transport their own children.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 8:23 PM Judy wrote ...

To Ding Ding Ding, Wow, what a way to say it...You hit the nail right on the head...what a shame it had to happen...lets just hope and pray it doesnt again...

Thursday, Sep 4 at 8:21 PM Judy wrote ...

What I want to know is, what happen to checking that all the safty issues were working???? What about the "walk through" that is supposed to be done at least Once if not twice?????????? Thank gosh the little one woke up and it turned out that he was ok except getting him on another bus again I could see being a problem...What a shame this had to happen, and lets just hope that no other child or family ever have to go through this again...

Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:43 PM aunt wrote ...

Ok, as an Aunt to the child this did not happen in the pm bus route,My nephew was left on the morning bus ride and taken to the transportation department when he woke up in the bus parking lot to find himself closed in the bus. After prying the bus doors open he was able to get the attention of person walking by the bus. This person was thankfully kind and helped him by hollering back to the orginal bus driver that was getting going into the trasportation building

Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:38 PM Mary wrote ...

I've already seen bus drivers using their cell phones this year. SBCSC Transportation is a joke, they don't care.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:36 PM No Excuses! wrote ...

It should be the teacher's job to make sure Kindergarteners get on the correct bus, then it's the bus driver's job to make sure each and every child is delivered safely home and that none are left on the bus. The teacher and the bus driver screwed up with me when I was 5 yrs. old and they had me on 3 different buses before my family found me. These kind of things are terrifying to children and should NEVER happen.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:36 PM bjk100 wrote ...

I have an idea. put a sign in the back of the school bus at the beginning of each day and at the end of each day require the bus driver to retrieve it and put it in the front of the bus before parking it. that way they would HAVE to walk to the back of the bus before parking it and if there is one without the sign in the front window at the end of the day, the bus would be double checked and that driver reprimanded!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 7:23 PM Mom wrote ...

Transportation really needs to take a look at their bus drivers. Some should not be around children or teenagers and you know it B. Fairres!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 6:54 PM to lost wrote ...

Looks like you have no clue! How are you, first of all, going to bring teachers into this? This is the bus drivers responsibility! 2nd of all you are going to talk about college education, yet you can't spell or make any sense. Teachers work hard for what little money they get! Stay on the subject of who is truly at fault here and learn to spell with complete sentences!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 6:18 PM GENE wrote ...

This really has nothing at all to do with the teachers and their new contract. This has to do with an incompetant driver that doesn't check the bus at the end of the day. Shame on them. If it were my child that was left on the bus I'd want someones head on a platter.

Thursday, Sep 4 at 6:11 PM No Excuse! wrote ...

There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for something like this to happen. All the driver has to do is walk front to back and back to front of the bus after the route is done!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 6:09 PM DING DING DING DING DING!!! wrote ...

WE HAVE A WINNER! If you picked SBCSC, Kennedy School 5 year old as your guess for the first victim of a lazy school bus driver than dial 1-800-IMA-FOOL to collect your prize. They show bus drivers how to check their buses and where to look for a child who may be asleep or hiding. I drive a school bus and I can't believe that a child could hide from Helen Keller if she was conscientious enough to walk from the front of the bus to the back and back to the front before she left it! Bye-bye driver!

Thursday, Sep 4 at 5:21 PM lost wrote ...

for their 4% raise lets put teachers on the bus.to make sure the childern get home safe,because ya know the bus drivers and custodians didnt go to college to get their jobs with the school corp.or get paid even close to what a teacher makes.even out the pay scale folks.yes some teachers are worth the money but most are more worried about the money then the children.MORE PARENT NEED TO GET IN THE SCHOOLS TO FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON!

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