A 28-year-old school bus monitor in New Jersey has been sentenced to prison for failing to check on a 6-year-old girl who tragically died while on her way to school.
The child, Fajr Williams, was strangled by the safety harness of her wheelchair. Fajr, who had a rare genetic disorder called Emanuel syndrome, was nonverbal and relied on a wheelchair... Continue reading here ▶
A jury in Somerset County found Amanda Davila guilty of endangering the welfare of a child. However, Davila was found not guilty of the more serious charges of aggravated manslaughter and reckless manslaughter.
During the trial, prosecutors showed bus video footage that revealed Fajr slipping lower in her wheelchair, causing the harness to tighten around her neck. Meanwhile, Davila sat at the front of the bus, using her cellphone and wearing headphones, never turning around to check on Fajr.
Davila admitted she made a mistake and apologized to Fajr’s family, saying she was distracted by Instagram and texting. Her lawyer argued that Fajr’s parents had not properly secured the harness, which contributed to the accident.
Fajr’s mother, Najmah Nash, strongly disagreed. “We did our job. We got my baby to the bus. She was strapped in, and that’s a fact,” she said.
The incident occurred on July 17, 2023, when the Franklin Township Police responded to a call about an unresponsive child at Claremont School. First responders attempted CPR, but Fajr was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Investigators determined that bumps in the road caused Fajr to slump forward, tightening the harness around her neck and blocking her airway. Davila’s use of her phone and headphones during the ride violated school policy.
Davila will be sentenced on March 7 and could face up to 10 years in prison.
