Day Care Bus Driver Arrested and Fired After Leaving 6-Year-Old Girl in Hot Bus

August 30, 2024

FLORIDA: A day care bus driver in Oviedo, Florida, has been arrested and fired after leaving a 6-year-old girl in a hot bus for over an hour, putting the child's life in danger. Barbra Ledbetter, 49, faces a felony charge of third-degree child neglect without causing great bodily harm.

According to the Oviedo Police Department, Ledbetter left the girl sleeping in the back of the bus in the parking lot of All About Kidz day care for one hour and two minutes. The bus was turned off and unattended, and the child experienced trouble breathing when she woke up. The girl started banging on a window to get out, catching the attention of a passerby who alerted authorities.

An investigation by the Department of Children and Families and the Oviedo Police Department found that Ledbetter had falsely claimed to have checked the bus after dropping off the other children. Surveillance video showed that she did not check the bus, and instead signed a log stating that she had.

The child was described as "asleep in back" of the bus and "unaware everyone exited." She woke up realizing she was very hot and had trouble breathing. A parent walking by in the day care parking lot heard the girl banging on a window and noticed her inside the bus.

Ledbetter has been charged with third-degree child neglect without causing great bodily harm, a felony count for neglect by willful or culpable negligence. She has posted a $2,500 bond to get out of the Seminole County Jail.

All About Kidz day care has cooperated fully in the investigation and has fired Ledbetter. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in day care settings.