California

Driver Faces Charge for Allegedly Leaving 3-Year-Old Unattended in School Bus

The preschooler was allegedly left unattended on the bus for an hour.

A special needs preschool student survived an hour alone in a school bus and the driver is now facing criminal prosecution, according to authorities in Apple Valley.

A complaint accuses Tiffeny Beatrice Avery, 32, of one count of felony child abuse. She was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to be arraigned on October 27.

The child, who will turn 4 years old next week, was discovered by another driver after the bus had been returned to the busyard, said Kristin Hernandez, public information officer for the Apple Valley Unified School District.

The child was examined and was not injured, according to the district and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, which investigated the August 23 incident.

The bus service was dedicated to special needs students, and it was not clear why the girl had not been taken home, as all the others on the bus were.

"We're very thankful she's OK. But it still doesn't take away from the seriousness of the situatiion," Hernandez said. "We are just so disappointed that this happened and we want to do every single thing we can to ensure that this does not happen again."

A year ago in Whittier, a special needs high school student, Paul Lee, 19, died after being left unattended in a school bus. The driver in that case was later charged with dependant abuse. Armando Abel Ramirez, 36, pleaded not guilty.

Lee's death led to legislation to require school buses be equipped with an alarm intended to insure that drivers check the bus by requiring them to go to the back to turn off the alarm.

Last Friday, the bill, SB 1072, received final approval from California's legislature and was sent to the governor for his signature.

The Apple Valley district has a longstanding policy requiring drivers to check the bus for any students inadvertently left behind, Hernandez said, and after the incident last week, met with all the drivers and established a bus shutdown checklist that includes making sure the bus is clear.

The special needs student had begun the preschool program earlier in August when the school year began.

Avery could not be reached for comment. NBC4 went to the residence where it's believed she lives, but there was no answer at the door.

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