Schools

Bus Driver Fired After 4-Year-Old Child Left on Bus

Solon bus driver Carole Haydocy was fired from job this week after she left a 4-year-old student on a bus

The Solon School Board fired a 19-year veteran bus driver after she left a 4-year-old boy unsupervised on her bus last week.

Carole Haydocy was fired by unanimous vote of the school board. Superintendent Joe Regano called the firing "unfortunate, but necessary."

"It’s very hard for us to do, but it’s harder not to do," Regano said.

Find out what's happening in Solonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The boy was supposed to get off at , but was still on the bus when the driver took it to the storage area.

The child's family told Fox 8 news that the boy then unhooked his safety harness and began wandering around the bus parking area. He was found by school staff on Thursday afternoon. The boy was fine.

Find out what's happening in Solonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Regano said that they believe the boy was unsupervised for about 15 minutes.

Before the board voted, Regano said that bus drivers are instructed to always check their buses for students before they leave.

Board members agreed the incident was unfortunate but that they had no choice but to fire the driver. Board member said that the safety of the students is "paramount."

"Some things are just inexcusable," she said. "She has been a good employee for a long time, but it’s a big responsibility to be a bus driver."

Regano said that the district's transportation director has spoken with the drivers to make sure they understand the requirements.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Solon