Local mom says autistic son's safety put in jeopardy while on school bus

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local mother Deroline Velazquez got worried when she saw her son's school number on her phone's caller ID Tuesday morning.

"I received a call from his teacher telling me that Xavier ran off the bus about 7 o'clock in the morning while the bus was dropping off other kids with disabilities at Sandalwood. He ran off from the bus and he almost got hit by cars," said Velazquez.

She said her son, Xavier Maldonado, 21, is severely autistic. He attends Alden Road Exceptional Student Center but shares a bus ride with ESE students from Sandalwood High School.

"Thank God for the bus driver Ms. Silvia, who jumped over Xavier to calm him down," said Velazquez.

Velazquez said the driver warned her that Xavier had been getting up from his seat, so she requested a one-on-one attendant be assigned to him while he's on the bus.

"That could've been prevented. On Feb. 5th we told the school that Xavier needed one-on-one in his bus," said Velazquez. "It's been almost a month and still Xavier doesn't have his one-on-one."

Duval County Public Schools said the safety harness Xavier uses while on the bus broke during the incident, so it will have to be fixed before he's allowed back on the bus. As for the extra aide, the school district said it has submitted a request to its transportation department, which turned it over to the bus contractor, Student Transportation of America, which ultimately provides the aide.

Velazquez said while she’s glad her son is OK. She believes her son’s safety was put in jeopardy because his needs weren't met in a timely manner.

According to the school district, every bus that transports ESE students has a bus aide, but Xavier needs another aide to focus on him alone.

The bus contractor said it has already ordered the safety harness. According to the district, it should arrive within three to seven business days, which is when the one-on-one attendant will also be available.

Cox Media Group