A heartbreaking incident in New Jersey has led to a prison sentence for a 28-year-old school bus monitor, Amanda Davila. She was found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child after failing to check on a 6-year-old girl in her care. The child, Fajr Williams, tragically died when the safety harness of her wheelchair tightened around her neck during a bus ride to school.
Fajr, a young girl living with Emanuel syndrome—a rare chromosomal disorder that left her nonverbal and reliant on a wheelchair—was on her way to Claremont School in Franklin Township on July 17, 2023. During the ride, bumps in the road caused her to slump in her chair, tightening the harness around her neck. Sadly, Fajr’s airway became blocked, and she was unable to breathe.
The school bus monitor, Davila, was seated just one row in front of Fajr. Surveillance footage showed that she was wearing headphones and scrolling through her phone during the ride, never once turning to check on the child. This footage became a key part of the evidence presented during the trial. Despite her position on the bus and responsibility for Fajr’s safety, Davila admitted that she was distracted by texting and using social media apps at the time.
In court, Davila apologized to Fajr’s family and acknowledged her mistake. However, her defense argued that the child’s harness had not been properly fastened before she boarded the bus. They claimed the responsibility for securing the harness lay with the family, suggesting that a 14-year-old relative may not have done it correctly.
Fajr’s mother, Najmah Nash, strongly disagreed, stating that her daughter was properly strapped in before boarding. She said the tragedy occurred because Davila failed to do her job, adding, “We did our job. We got my baby to the bus. She was strapped in, and that’s a fact.”
The incident sent shockwaves through the community. On the morning of the tragedy, emergency responders rushed to Claremont School after receiving a call about an unresponsive child. Despite efforts to save her, Fajr was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators later determined that Davila’s actions, or lack thereof, violated policies and procedures, including the prohibition of using a phone or headphones while on duty.
Jurors ultimately found Davila guilty of child endangerment but cleared her of the more serious charges of aggravated and reckless manslaughter. She now faces a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, with her sentencing hearing scheduled for March 7.
This tragic case has left a lasting impact, highlighting the importance of vigilance and accountability when it comes to the safety of children with special needs. Fajr’s family continues to grieve their loss, urging others to learn from this heartbreaking event.
