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Child falls asleep, wakes up inside school van

A child who fell asleep inside a school van today was left in the vehicle for hours.

Ebony Pugh, Pittsburgh Public Schools public information officer, confirmed the incident to Channel 11 News.

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The 9-year-old, who attends the Urban League of Pittsburgh Charter School, used an emergency cell phone to call his mom after waking up inside the van Monday afternoon. The child's mother, Andrea Nolan told Channel 11 News that she put her son on the van six hours earlier.

"Thank God he had it today because I believe it saved his life," said Nolan.

Nolan called the transport company -- ABC Transit -- and asked that someone get the child.

"I called the company and the man went and checked on the school bus and said William's not there and I said he has to be because I just talked to him can you please go check again?" said Nolan.

Someone with the bus company finally found William and took the third grader straight home.

Mom said that her son is shaken up.

In addition to an apology from the bus company, Nolan would like to see a change at the district level so that no child gets lost in the shuffle from the bus ride to the first bell.

"I think the school when the child doesn't show up should call the parents or email the parents saying where is the child why isn't the child in school," said Nolan.

ABC Transit said that it is investigating, and will handle the situation appropriately.

WPXI

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