Guilty Verdict Against NJ School Bus Aide In Child's Death Could Be In Jeopardy: Report

FRANKLIN, NJ — A guilty verdict found against a former school bus monitor in the death of a Franklin 6-year-old with special needs is in jeopardy of being overturned.

News 12 reported that Najmah Nash, mother of Fajr Williams who died on the school bus in 2023, lied on the stand about not filing a civil lawsuit in this case.

New Jersey Law Journal reported that Williams's divorced parents, Wali Williams and Najmah Nash filed a lawsuit against Montauk Transit and settled for $5 million in November 2024. Each parent received half of the settlement.

Since Nash did not disclose this information when asked during the trial the guilty verdict against Amanda Davila of New Brunswick for endangering the welfare of a child could be thrown out and Nash could face a perjury charge.

Davila's defense attorney Mike Policastro told News 12 that this evidence could mean a "mistrial where Amanda could have a retrial."

Looking at the next steps, Somerset County Judge Peter Tober reportedly wants to meet with the defense and prosecution, according to News 12.

Somerset County Prosecutor Office Deputy Chief Frank Roman declined to comment to Patch.

School Bus Death

On July 17, 2023, Franklin Township Police were called to a local school for a call for an unresponsive child.

Officers administered CPR to the 6-year-old child - Williams. The child was taken to an area hospital’s intensive care unit and was subsequently pronounced dead, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said.

Williams used a wheelchair and was taken by a transit school bus from her home on July 17. The child’s wheelchair was secured in the back of the school bus by Davila, who was assigned as the school bus monitor, McDonald said.

"During the transport, a series of bumps in the road caused the 6-year-old to slump in her wheelchair seat making the 4-point harness that secured her to the chair to become tight around her neck ultimately blocking her airway," McDonald said.

School bus monitor Davila was seated towards the front of the bus and was using a cell phone while wearing earbud headphones in both ears during the ride, McDonald said. The investigation found that this was in violation of policies and procedures.

Previous reporting:

• NJ School Bus Aide Convicted After Wheelchair-Bound Child, 6, Dies
• NJ Girl, 6, Dies After School Bus Ride, Woman Charged
• Child 'Struggled Violently For Her Life' As Bus Monitor Was On Phone: Court Docs
• Franklin Mom Of Wheelchair-Bound Child Who Died On Bus Wants Answers

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