An Atlanta-area school bus driver has been placed on administrative leave and is under criminal investigation after reportedly forcing a 6-year-old girl off the bus during a violent rainstorm, leaving her alone nearly a mile from home.
What Happened to the Young Girl?
On May 12, first-grader Kaylani Davis from Flat Rock Elementary School in DeKalb County was made to get off the bus during a heavy morning downpour. The bus driver allegedly became angry after Kaylani spoke on the bus, then grabbed and dragged her off.
Kaylani was left to cross a busy road and wander alone in the rain. Luckily, a neighbor, Iasha Parker, heard her screaming for help and found her. Parker immediately called Kaylani’s mother, Alicia McClendon, and reassured her: “I got your baby right here.”
The Aftermath and School Response
Kaylani’s mother was shocked and relieved her daughter was safe but demanded answers. She said, “I get a call 15 to 20 minutes later stating my daughter is walking the streets in the rain, just crying and screaming for help.”
When McClendon arrived at school, she found out the bus driver had been told not to let Kaylani off the bus and that a separate bus was supposed to pick her up—but it never came.
The driver unloaded other students, but no one at the school knew Kaylani was missing.
Ongoing Investigations and School Statement
DeKalb County Schools said they take the allegations seriously. The bus driver has been placed on administrative leave and is banned from entering school property during the investigation.
DeKalb County Police have also opened a criminal investigation into the matter.
Kaylani’s Trauma and Family Concerns
Since the incident, Kaylani has refused to ride any school bus. Her mother now drives her to and from school, saying, “She’s very traumatized. It’s really shocking to us.”
McClendon thanked the neighbor who rescued Kaylani and expressed strong feelings about the driver’s actions: “She deserves to be behind bars. Fired. Terminated. She needs more because it could’ve been her life.”