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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha father wants the district to explain how his 5-year-old daughter could have been left on a school bus instead of being taken home.
Puol Nuor called police and the Omaha Public Schools transportation department after his daughter, Nya, still hadn't been dropped off by the school bus Monday afternoon. He learned that the kindergartner had been locked inside a bus in a parking lot about 9 miles away.
"They went inside and checked the bus, and they found her," Nuor said. "What happened? It's not acceptable."
Nuor said his daughter has cerebral palsy, a feeding tube and selective mutism and that she's now afraid to ride the bus. He said Nya stayed home from school Tuesday, and he took her there Wednesday.
School district spokesman Todd Andrews said Nya's bus driver, who wasn't identified, has been placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate.
Andrews said the district has an alarm system installed on every bus that reminds bus drivers to sweep the bus and make sure that no children are left behind. A button is at the back of the bus and if the driver doesn't walk back there and push it, an alarm sounds.
Andrews said Nya's driver had completed the procedure Monday.
Nya's elementary school is about a half-mile from her home. The afternoon bus typically drops her off at daycare, but Nuor had asked the bus to take her straight home that day. After Nya was found on the bus, transportation supervisors drove her home.
"It just scared me, it really did," Nuor said. "As a dad, you always have a routine, and when you don't see your kid at a certain time, you get worried."
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