Virginia bus driver, monitor charged with leaving boy with autism on hot bus

From The Norfolk Crime Examiner:

A Richmond school bus driver and monitor have both been charged with felony child neglect, after leaving a 5-year-old boy with autism and asthma behind on the bus for an hour on July 6.

According to Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary E. Langer, the driver is Alvin Matthews, 43, of Hopewell, and the monitor is Irene Jenkins, 60, of Chesterfield County.

Matthews is a substitute driver, hired in March and Jenkins has worked for the school system for 32 years.

A spokeswoman for Richmond public schools said that while seven children boarded the special needs bus, Tuesday morning, only six got off upon arrival at Summer Hill Elementary.

As of Thursday, Jenkins was being held in the Richmond City Jail.

The little boy was discovered by another driver at the city’s school bus depot, when he heard the child’s cries. The 5-year-old was left on the bus for an hour. The windows were rolled up and given the fact that the high temperature in Richmond on Tuesday was 103, the incident could have quickly become a life threatening situation.

Langer told the Richmond Times-Dispatch: “In this heat especially, that child left in a closed vehicle, he could have died. The heat rises incredibly rapidly in a closed vehicle. In the recent weather we've had, it's a real threat.”

The child was taken to CJW Medical Center, and later released.

In a prepared statement, Richmond Schools Superintendent Yvonne W. Brandon said: “The behavior exhibited on Tuesday is inexcusable and does not reflect the quality of professionalism we uphold in the district. Swift and appropriate personnel actions have already been taken.”

She continued: “We're offering the police our full cooperation in this investigation.”

If convicted, Matthews and Jenkins face up to five years behind bars.