A child was found walking alone through a quiet Miami-Dade neighborhood after allegedly being left behind on a school bus, triggering a child neglect charge against the driver who authorities say failed to check the vehicle at the end of her route.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL – Deputies responded to the area near Southwest 298th Terrace and Southwest 153rd Place after a passerby spotted a 6-year-old boy walking alone, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. The child had reportedly been asleep on a school bus and was never dropped off at school as scheduled.
Authorities said the driver, 62-year-old Patricia Barberena, completed her route and returned home, parking the bus without inspecting it. Approximately 15 minutes later, the boy woke up, exited the bus, and began walking through the neighborhood.
Child discovered after missed school drop-off
The situation came to light when the boy’s school contacted Barberena to report that he had not arrived. She went outside and located the child around the same time deputies reached the area. The boy was not injured and was later reunited with his father.
During an interview with deputies, Barberena was advised of her rights and acknowledged her actions. According to the affidavit, she “admitted to not inspecting the bus to see if there were any students still on the bus,” deputies wrote.
Investigators concluded that the driver failed to follow basic safety procedures designed to ensure no children remain on board after routes are completed.
Charge filed, court date set
Barberena was arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm. Deputies stated, “The defendant knowingly and willfully failed to provide her children with the care, supervision and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health that a prudent person would consider essential for the well being of a child.”
She was transported to the Miami-Dade Jail and later released after posting a $2,500 bond. Court records show she has pleaded not guilty, with her next hearing scheduled for July 31.
The name of the school involved was not disclosed in the affidavit.
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