School bus monitor charged after six-year-old girl with disability suffocated

21 July 2023 , 22:00

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Faja had been picked up from her home 45 minutes before her mum got the call saying what had happened (Image: abc6)

A school bus monitor has been charged after police say she was using her mobile phone and did not notice as a six-year-old girl with disabilities was being suffocated by her seatbelt.

27-year-old Amanda Davila, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was charged with manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of Faja Williams. Faja was found unresponsive when she got to Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Park on Monday, July 17.

She was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after. Davila had been sitting near the front of the bus when it hit bumps on the road in Franklin Township, according to authorities. The bumps caused Faja to slump in her wheelchair, with the four-point harness that secured her chair tightening around her neck and restricting her airway, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Faja was born with Emanuel syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder which left her unable to speak or walk (abc6)

Davila was charged on Wednesday, July 19, and made her initial court appearance on Thursday, July 20. It wasn't clear on Friday, July 21, if she had retained an attorney, said the prosecutor's office.

Faja was born with Emanuel syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder which left her unable to speak or walk, but she was still able to make sounds. She had been attending classes as part of an extended school year.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

"She was the sweetest kid you'll ever meet," said her mother, Namjah Nash Williams. "She had the sweetest little laugh, little dimples and she just endured so much in her six years.

Twenty-seven-year-old Amanda Davila of New Brunswick was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child (abc6)

"She did not deserve this, to be taken away from us in such a way, that had nothing to do with her condition."

Authorities say Davila violated policies and procedures by using ear buds and her mobile phone while she was supposed to be monitoring the child. Franklin Township school officials declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

In a statement issued on Friday, July 21, Montauk Bus of Franklin, which operated the bus, extended its condolences to the child's family. It said the firm was "devastated" and "grieving as a company."

Faja's dad, Wali Williams, spoke about the tragic incident (abc6)

"All of our employees know that the safety of children we transport is our top priority, which is why we are fully engaged in the law enforcement investigation and support and punishment that the justice system determines appropriate for the bus monitor who has been arrested," the company said.

Ms Nash told CBS New York that her daughter is nonverbal, but able to make sounds. She said: "Is it that loud on the vehicle? Is it that loud? She makes sounds. She has a voice."

She said she got the call on Monday, 45 minutes after her daughter had been picked up from their home.

Faja's dad, Wali Williams, told CBS New York: "This lady is on the cellphone. [Faja's] back there fighting for her life. She's not even looking back."

Fiona Leishman