5-year-old girl left at wrong bus location after school

A frustrated and concerned grandmother said her 5-year-old granddaughter was left alone on the sidewalk at the wrong bus location after getting out of summer school.

Frank Underwood, who is the transportation, safety and security coordinator with Jefferson City Public Schools, said Cedar Hill Elementary is contracted with a bus company called First Student.

The district said they have been using First Student for more than three decades and are well trained at what they do and this should not have happened.

“They hold the best safety record of all student transportation providers combined,” Underwood said.

Underwood said during summer school, May 29 to June 21, First Student picks up nearly 2,500 students.

The district said they took immediate action by having the school’s principal, Stacy Fick, get on the bus the following day to ensure the young girl was left at the correct stop.

In a letter written to ABC 17 News, the grandmother said her granddaughter was supposed to be taken to the YMCA and not home.

According to the grandmother, the girl is safe after she walked and found her former day care center.

First Student spokesperson, Chris Kemper, said it was a one time error and they have not had any issues prior.

Kemper said with it being the first day of summer school, just like the first day of school in the fall it’s an adjustment for everyone.

The parents of the girl did not answer our calls.