School bus monitor sentenced to 3 years in prison for being on her phone while a 6-year-old disabled child strangled herself in her seat.
A New Jersey school bus monitor, Amanda Davila, 28, was sentenced to three years in prison for using her phone while a 6-year-old disabled child strangled herself in her seat. The incident occurred in 2023.
During the summer of that year, Amanda was caught on the vehicle’s security cameras wearing headphones and using her phone, failing to notice that Fajr Williams was struggling in the back seat.
The bus hit a bumpy stretch, which caused the safety harness to tighten around the child’s neck. Fajr was a non-verbal girl with a condition known as Emanuel Syndrome, which affects physical and mental development.
By the time the bus reached its destination, she was unconscious. The girl later passed away in the hospital.
Defense attorney Michael Policastro argued that the school bus monitor was not solely responsible for the tragedy.
“She had one job. She didn’t do it, and because of that, Fajr Williams is dead,” said Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Michael McLaughlin in an interview with NBC 4.
“I’m sorry. My heart goes out to the mother and the family,” Amanda said. The school bus monitor was convicted of endangering a child. In addition to her prison sentence, she has been ordered to pay $20,000 to the victim’s parents.
The family received a $5 million settlement from the school bus operator.
NEW: New Jersey jury is now deliberating the fate of a former school bus aide charged in the death of a special needs student
Amanda Davila is on trial for aggravated manslaughter after 6-year-old Fajr Williams died from a safety harness strangling her on a bus in July 2023… pic.twitter.com/SGkou8Wqc3
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) January 10, 2025
Photos: X @unlimited_ls. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
