Albany, Georgia — A Georgia church deacon is facing four counts of reckless conduct after police say he left four children on the side of a busy road during a church bus ride, forcing their worried mother to search for them when they failed to arrive home.
Erin Menefee, 42, was accused of dropping off three siblings, ages 12, 11 and 9, along with their 10-year-old friend, nearly four miles from their home after an alleged dispute aboard the bus.
According to an Albany Police Department incident report obtained by a local news outlet, the incident prompted a police investigation after the children’s mother reported what had happened.
Mother Searches for Four Children After They Fail to Arrive Home
Police reportedly responded to Oakridge Baptist Church on Sunday after a woman said her three children and their friend had been removed from the church bus while traveling home.
The children were allegedly left near the intersection of Westover Boulevard and Gillionville Road, a location described in the complaint as nearly four miles from their home.
When the children did not arrive as expected, their mother went out looking for them. During her search, she reportedly spotted the church bus but could not locate the children.
The mother then spoke with Menefee, who allegedly told her he had dropped the children off farther down the road. However, she still could not find them and eventually went to the church to speak with the pastor.
The situation remained unresolved until a relative contacted the mother with additional information about where the children had been left.
Why Police Say the Children Were Removed From the Bus
According to the police complaint, the mother received a call from a relative who said Menefee had explained why he removed the children from the bus.
Menefee allegedly said the children had been cursing and hitting one another and that he “don’t play that,” according to the report.
Officers later spoke with Menefee, who reportedly acknowledged leaving the children at the intersection.
He told investigators that approximately 20 children were aboard the bus and that the four children in question had been disruptive. According to the complaint, he said he removed them because he believed doing so was necessary for safety reasons.
Menefee reportedly also told police that he had contacted a relative to pick up the children. However, he acknowledged that he should have waited for the relative to arrive before leaving the scene.
Passerby Helps Children Get Home Safely
The four children eventually made it home after a passerby reportedly spotted them and drove them there. Their mother’s search had continued after she was unable to locate them near the intersection, according to the incident report.
The account raises questions about how the children were supervised after being removed from the bus and whether an appropriate arrangement had been made to ensure they reached a safe location.
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Although Menefee reportedly told police he was responding to disruptive behavior aboard the bus, investigators documented the circumstances surrounding the decision to leave the children behind.
The police complaint provides an account of the allegations and Menefee’s reported statements. The charges themselves do not establish guilt.
Deacon Arrested on Four Counts of Reckless Conduct
Menefee was arrested and taken to the Dougherty County Jail, according to the report. He has since posted bond. He faces four counts of reckless conduct, one for each child involved in the incident.
A subsequent court date was not immediately available in the reported information. Further details about the case, including any additional court proceedings, had not been provided.
The allegations center on the decision to leave four children, all between 9 and 12 years old, at a busy intersection several miles from home before their intended pickup had arrived.
The case remains a reminder of the importance of ensuring children’s safety and supervision during transportation, even when adults responsible for them are dealing with disruptive behavior.
What do you think should happen when children misbehave during a supervised bus ride? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
