Forsyth Bus Driver Fired For Leaving 6-Year-Old Unattended

CUMMING, GA — A Forsyth County school bus driver has been fired after dropping off a 6-year-old girl alongside busy Canton Highway with no adult supervision.

Shelley McKinley, 48, was a substitute driver who had worked for the school system since 2013.

She was terminated Wednesday, but effective as of December 16, the date of the incident, said Forsyth County Public Schools spokeswoman Jennifer Caracciolo.

"We expect all drivers to follow our safety protocols and we take action when a child's safety is compromised," Caracciolo said. "This situation is very serious, and we are deeply sorry that it happened to the student and her family."

The student is a kindergartner at Cumming Elementary School. She was taken to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office by a motorist who saw her alone alongside the highway at about 3 p.m.

Caracciolo said the incident happened while McKinley was filling in for the route's regular driver. She had driven for four elementary and two middle schools in the past with no prior incidents and had completed all district-required classes and training, she said.

Image via Pixabay