6-Year-Old Left on Bus Alone After School, Mom Says. He Called and Showed Her Empty Seats Before She Dialed 911

**Mom Recounts Terrifying Ordeal After Son Was Left Alone on School Bus**

A mother from Uniondale, N.Y., shared a harrowing experience where her 6-year-old son was left stranded on a school bus for nearly half an hour. Natalie Sellars detailed how her son, Michael, was supposed to be dropped off at a stop to meet his babysitter. However, the driver of the Guardian Bus Company reportedly missed the stop, leaving Michael alone on the bus at the end of the route, as reported by Newsday and WCBS.

Sellars expressed her concern over what could have transpired if her son had disembarked by himself. Recalling the incident, Sellars explained how Michael, now 7 years old, found himself alone on the bus on the day before his birthday in June. The driver overlooked Michael’s stop and continued on with the other children, leaving the young boy bewildered about his situation.

In a frantic attempt to locate her son, Sellars called Michael on his emergency phone, and he revealed to her that he was the only one left on the bus. She was shocked and immediately alerted emergency services. The distressed mother was relieved when school officials were able to track down the driver’s address, where Michael was found on the bus.

Sellars expressed her anguish at the lack of accountability from the bus driver and the company. She voiced her disappointment at not receiving a personal apology and requested access to the bus’s dashcam footage to shed light on the incident. The Guardian Bus Company released a statement expressing regret over the incident and confirmed that the driver involved had been dismissed.

Uniondale School District Superintendent Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil highlighted the district’s commitment to student safety and assured that immediate action had been taken regarding the bus driver. The incident has had a lasting impact on Michael, who now refuses to board a school bus and is undergoing therapy. Sellars shared how her son’s fear of being left alone has manifested in his reluctance to ride a bus, a routine that he once took for granted.

The traumatic experience has led to changes in Michael’s behaviour, with Sellars noting how he now seeks comfort by sleeping in her room and expresses fear at the sight of a bus. The family continues to grapple with the aftermath of the incident, with Sellars remaining vigilant about her son’s emotional well-being. The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about ensuring the safety and security of children during school transportation.

As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, Sellars remains focused on providing support and reassurance to her son as he navigates the trauma of being left alone on a school bus. The community stands in solidarity with the family as they seek answers and advocate for stricter protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a routine bus ride home turned into a nightmare for the Sellars family. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children in transit and underscores the importance of stringent safety measures to safeguard young passengers. The repercussions of the incident are far-reaching, impacting not just Michael but also prompting calls for accountability and transparency within the transportation sector.