Bus driver on paid leave as police investigate after child hit

WORCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The 5-year-old kindergartner who was hit while trying to cross the street alone is back home Wednesday night after recovering from a broken leg and other injuries.

Worcester police say the child just got off a school bus but the driver left before making sure there was an adult to meet him. The driver is suspended without pay. The bus company told FOX25 they are working closely with police and the private charter school to figure out how this 5-year-old ended up on this busy street by himself.

Amanda Rivera has been hoping for the best ever since she watched the small boy being taken away by emergency officials.

"Once they put him in the ambulance and I saw that he was leaving alone that's when my heart broke and that's when I started crying because he was a baby and he was by himself," she said.

Worcester police say the 5-year-old got off an AA Transportation bus and tried crossing the busy street alone. The child is a student at Abby Kelley Foster Charter School. A spokesperson there says the bus driver is not supposed to let the child off if there isn't an adult waiting, saying, "If no parent is there to meet the child, the bus driver is instructed to return the child to school, at which time a parent will be contacted. If a parent plans any changes in the normal pickup and drop off procedure, he/she must contact the school receptionist in advance."

The soon-to-be certified nursing assistant is just happy she was there and able to help.

"I'm glad he is okay that's my main thing that he's alright," she said.

The bus company telling us that driver will stay on unpaid leave until this is sorted out.

Ann Marie Little, Special Ed Director, released the following statement Wednesday:

Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School has a firm policy that governs the transportation of children to and from our school and their homes. This policy states that each child is to be picked up at the bus stop by a parent or a designated adult. If no parent is there to meet the child, the bus driver is instructed to return the child to school, at which time a parent will be contacted. If a parent plans any changes in the normal pickup and drop off procedure, he/she must contact the school receptionist in advance. We are working with the bus company and the Worcester Police Department to determine if the school’s policy was followed, and to determine if any changes in procedures need to be made. We have been in close contact with the family and we are pleased to report that the student is now home recovering.

Cox Media Group