School Bus Drops Off 4-Year-Old at Wrong Stop in Maryland

CAMP SPRINGS, MD — Little Symone Todd was excited as she set off for her first day of kindergarten Tuesday, letting go of her mother’s hand as she clambered up the school bus steps, bright pink backpack slung over her shoulder.

Her mom, Christal Todd, 27, of Camp Springs, caught the milestone on video, every parent’s job on the first day of school.

And she was waiting that afternoon when the Prince George’s County Public Schools bus drove up to let Symone and other children off the bus. But the 4-year-old girl didn’t get off. When Christal asked where her daughter was, the bus driver said she could come on the bus to check, but he was “pretty sure” he’d left Symone on nearby Robin Lane.

Princeton Elementary School officials told parents that all pre-kindergarten students would be at the front of the bus and a parent or guardian would have to escort their child off the vehicle. So who escorted Symone, and where was she?

Christal started running to the street, only to see Symone running to her, she told The Washington Post. The girl could see her home from the site where she got off the bus and started walking as car horns honked at her.

A Good Samaritan helped the youngster cross Robin Lane, then left before Christal could thank him.

A school district spokeswoman apologized for the mishap and said it is under review and disciplinary action might be taken. The school’s principal rode the bus home with Symone on Wednesday to ensure everything went smoothly.

See video of Symone Todd heading off to school on The Washington Post website.