Cleveland, Ohio — A mother is thanking a stranger who helped bring her 6-year-old daughter home safely after the child was reportedly dropped off at her school bus stop without an adult present and was later spotted walking alone near a busy road.
Mari Richardson said she was still at home when her daughter, Tiyonna, unexpectedly arrived in a stranger’s car. The incident happened about 20 minutes before Richardson expected the school bus to drop her daughter off, according to a local news report.
The encounter left Richardson grateful to the woman who stopped to help her child and raised questions about the procedures used to ensure young students are safely released from school buses.
Stranger Spots 6-Year-Old Walking Alone Near Busy Road
Tiyonna Betts spotted the young girl crying and walking alone near a busy road. Concerned about the child’s safety, Betts stepped in to help her get home.
Richardson later expressed her gratitude for the stranger’s actions, saying her daughter might not have made it home safely without the woman’s intervention.
“My daughter could have never made it home if it wasn’t for this lady. And I’m just so thankful for her,” Richardson told.
Betts also described the experience as an opportunity to help a child who appeared to need assistance.
“God led me to that baby, and I’m just overjoyed that I was used to be a blessing,” Betts said.
Her decision to stop and help meant the girl was able to return home, where her mother could ensure she was safe.
School Transportation Company Responds to Incident
The incident prompted a response from Rightway Transportation, the company responsible for the bus route. Quentin Sims, the company’s CEO and owner, said an internal review confirmed that the first-grade student had been released at her correct bus stop without a parent, guardian or authorized older sibling present.
“Our review confirmed that the first grade student was released at her correct bus stop without a parent, guardian, or authorized older sibling present, which violates our safety procedures,” Sims wrote.
The company said the driver had been removed from the route following the incident.bSims also said the driver completed additional training with management staff regarding student release procedures.
“Student safety remains our highest priority, and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to prevent this type of incident from happening again,” Sims continued.
The company’s statement acknowledged that releasing the child without an authorized adult violated its safety procedures.
Driver Reprimanded Internally
On Thursday, October 22, Sims confirmed that the driver “has been reprimanded internally.” The company has not publicly provided additional details about the internal disciplinary action or explained whether further changes to its student drop-off procedures will be introduced.
The incident highlights the importance of following student-release protocols, particularly for younger children who may not be able to navigate busy streets or safely reach home on their own.
For parents, school bus drop-off procedures can be an important part of ensuring children travel safely between school and home. Confirming who is authorized to receive a child and what happens when no adult is present can help families understand the safeguards in place.
Mother Files Police Report
Richardson also said she filed a police report following the incident.
The available information does not specify whether police have opened a formal investigation, whether any additional action has been taken or whether authorities have released further findings.
The circumstances surrounding the drop-off and the company’s internal response remain central to the case.
For Richardson, however, the immediate concern was getting her daughter home safely. She credited Betts with stepping in when the child was alone and needed help.
The incident has also drawn attention to the responsibility of transportation providers to follow established procedures when releasing young students at their designated stops.
What do you think schools and bus companies should do to ensure young children are never left alone at bus stops? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
