FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Authorities have announced the arrest of Amanda Davila, a 27-year-old from New Brunswick in connection with a fatal incident that occurred during a school bus ride in Franklin Township on July 17, resulting in the death of a 6-year-old child.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, on the mentioned date at approximately 9:04 a.m., the Franklin Township Police Department responded to a call regarding an unresponsive juvenile at a local school.
Upon arrival, officers administered CPR to the child and rushed her to an area hospital’s intensive care unit. Sadly, the child was pronounced deceased.
Following the incident, detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit conducted an investigation.
It was revealed that the victim, a 6-year-old girl with special needs, was attending an extended school year program and was being transported in a transit school bus from her residence on the day of the incident.
The child’s wheelchair was secured in the rear of the bus by Amanda Davila, the assigned school bus monitor.
During the ride, the child slumped in her wheelchair due to road bumps, causing the 4-point harness that secured her to tighten around her neck, obstructing her airway. The investigation found that Amanda Davila, who was seated at the front of the bus, was using her cellular telephone with earbud headphones in both ears, which was against policies and procedures.
As a result of the investigation, Amanda Davila was arrested on July 19, without incident.
She has been charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter and 2nd-degree endangering the welfare of a child. She is currently held in the Somerset County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.