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Latrobe Boy, 5, Dropped Off At Wrong Bus Stop Miles From Home

Parents in Latrobe are upset after their young son was dropped off miles away from the right bus stop on Tuesday.

Jennifer Lombardo was frantic when her 5-year-old son Christopher didn't get off the Latrobe Elementary School bus, and she feared the worst.

"I was hysterically crying, screaming and crying," Lombardo said. "You see it on the news every day, kids getting abducted, taken by pedophiles and killed."

Lombardo said she didn't know where Christopher was for 25 minutes. He is a kindergarten student at Latrobe Elementary and has gotten off at the same bus stop since September.

But Tuesday afternoon, when Lombardo's husband went to meet the boy at the stop, Christopher wasn't there.

"The bus driver came back around and we asked if anyone is still on the bus," said Lombardo. "He said, 'No, no one's here.' He pulled off. He didn't call anyone or help us or anything."

Lombardo said a short time later, she got a phone call from school officials, saying her son had been located and that the bus driver accidentally dropped the boy off at the wrong stop. Lombardo says the stop is five miles away from theirs.

The bus company, First Student, offered an apology to the family and has also put a new bus policy in place.

"We apologize for any inconvenience to the family and the concerns they have," said company spokes man Tim Stokes.

Stokes also said Christopher got off the bus with a friend and went to the friend's house.

However, Lombardo said that's not the case.

"A nice lady happened to take him into her house, thankfully," said Lombardo. "No one took him or anything. She didn't know who he was."

Lombardo said she's still furious and wants more than an apology.

"I would like them to take some responsibly and initiative and discipline (the driver) in some way."

Because of this incident, First Student worked with the transportation director and implemented a new policy. From now on, the drivers will be given the names of the kindergarten students, along with their designated bus stop.

In addition, drivers have to make sure there is an adult or guardian present when the child gets off the bus.



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