UPDATE: A 6-year-old boy was left alone for over an hour in freezing temperatures after being dropped off early by his school bus in Country Club Hills, Illinois. The alarming incident occurred on December 6, 2023, when Josiah Willis was sent home from school without proper supervision.
Josiah’s mother, Akira Willis, is demanding answers from both the school and the bus company after she received a shocking call from a neighbor at approximately 4:30 PM, informing her that her son was alone at the corner of 192nd Court and Chestnut Drive. “I was confused,” she stated, highlighting that Josiah was supposed to be at Sykuta Elementary School for after-school tutoring that day.
It has been confirmed that Josiah expressed a desire to skip tutoring, prompting school officials to place him on the bus without notifying his parent or ensuring an adult was present at the drop-off location. “He said, ‘It was a man that dropped me off. He just let me get off the bus with nobody there,'” Akira recalled in disbelief.
Akira immediately contacted the school, questioning the safety protocols in place for young children. “Since when do we let 6-year-olds get off the bus by themselves without a parent?” she demanded.
The Illinois School Bus Company in Crestwood informed Akira that their policy mandates drivers to return children to school if no adult is at the drop-off point. Despite this assurance, the school district and bus company have not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident.
This disturbing event raises significant concerns about the safety measures in place for vulnerable children during transportation. As the temperature dipped dangerously low, the emotional toll on both Josiah and Akira is profound, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight.
As this story develops, parents and community members are urged to stay vigilant about the safety protocols of school transportation. What happens next remains critical as Akira continues to seek accountability from the school district and bus company.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation as authorities respond to the growing outcry from concerned parents.
