Driver fired after child left on bus

ST. MARYS - A St. Marys City Schools bus driver was dismissed from their job at the district due to an incident in which a child was left on a bus alone for an undisclosed period of time last week, superintendent Bill Ruane said.

In a note to parents that was shared with the newspaper, Ruane said the district recently concluded an investigation into an incident involving an Auglaize County Educational Services Center student who was left on a St. Marys City Schools bus midday on Sept. 2.

"It occurred after a midday route and the student was found by staff on the bus before the end of the day routes went out," Ruane's statement said. "The student's parents and the police department were notified immediately. The student showed no signs of distress and suffered no physical injuries."

St. Marys Police Chief Lucas Turpin said the student was "preschool age," but police and school officials declined to provide further details.

The bus driver involved in the incident was put on leave that day and is now no longer employed by the school district, the note from Ruane continued.

"The district conducted a thorough review of our current procedures and is pursuing bus safety equipment upgrades," Ruane said in the statement. "The Auglaize County ESC has also reviewed their policies and procedures. Student safety and well-being are our top priority."