Amanda Davila, a school bus aide in New Jersey, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of child endangerment in the death of 6-year-old Farj Williams. Farj, who was disabled and nonverbal, struggled with her wheelchair harness as Davila was distracted on her phone. Surveillance footage indicated that Davila failed to notice Farj gasping for help until it was too late. Despite her remorse and no prior record, the court held her accountable for her negligence, leading to a tragic outcome.
Surveillance video showed Davila was wearing earbuds and on her phone at the time, unaware that Farj began struggling when the bus hit a bumpy patch.
Defense lawyer Michael Policastro lamented at his client's sentencing last week that this was a terrible tragedy but noted that Davila did not have a prior record and was the mother of a 4-year-old child with severe autism.
Davila stood to address the court and apologized for her actions. "I'm sorry. My heart goes out to the mother and the family," she said in a quiet voice.
By the time the bus arrived at its destination, Farj was unconscious. She later died at the hospital.
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