ALVIN, Texas – Gabriel Welch, 6, is enjoying his weekend at home after a rough evening on his way from school. That's because he was locked on a school bus at the Alvin ISD bus barn for more than an hour Thursday.
"He was trapped in the bus," said Gabriel's mother, Autumn. "There was no way he would've been able to get off the bus."
After a frantic search, Gabriel was found and awakened by a district employee.
"I knew where I was and I wasn't scared," said Gabriel.
Gabriel wasn't scared, but Autumn, who called his school and the on-duty transportation supervisor, was terrified. Gabriel had fallen asleep and the two employees on the bus didn't notice he was there when they parked for the evening.
"If I were to leave my child in a car for an hour in this heat, I would go to jail," said Autumn. "I feel like the same consequences for these people should be put in action as if they were me."
The district acknowledged the incident and quickly launched an investigation. The director of transportation and safety said the two employees failed to do a required walk-through of the bus, designed specifically to look for children who may have fallen asleep. He didn't divulge details of any disciplinary action, but it doesn't sound like those two workers will be driving children anytime soon.
"The investigation has been completed, personnel action has taken place to the fullest extent that we can by district policy," said Jim Abney.
Abney said he also talked to all of his supervisors after the incident and has ordered refresher training for all drivers when school resumes next week.