Child Left On University City Bus For 8 Hours

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO — A bus driver has been suspended and the school district has asked that he not return to University City schools after a 6-year-old boy fell asleep on his bus and spent the day — about 8 hours — locked inside. The boy's mother, Elisia Foster, reported him missing when he didn't come home Tuesday afternoon and police found him on the bus a short time later.

The temperature was in the mid 40s on Tuesday and the boy was without food all day. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but it looks like he's okay.

The Missouri Central Bus Company, which services University City schools, suspended the driver and said company policy is to walk the bus to check for sleeping children after each shift. Signs posted at the bus terminal remind drivers to do just that.

A spokesman for the bus company called the incident unacceptable, adding, "We have a long history of this type of event not happening." Unfortunately, that history seems to have gotten a bit shorter this week.

"Somebody need to get fired or arrested or something. I'm going to do something about it, this is ridiculous," Foster told KMOV Channel 4.

The University City School District said in a statement that administrators are in contact with the bus company and both are cooperating with University City police, who are investigating.

The district apologized for the incident:

As a District team, we are deeply sorry for the concern caused to this family. District officials are reviewing the District’s relationship with the bus company and are working with them to review policies and procedures intended to ensure student safety. We are also reviewing our own internal safety and security procedures. Our goal is to ensure that this does not happen again.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation should call University City Police at 314-725-2211.

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