Special Needs Girl, 7, Dies on Ohio School Bus in Possible Seat Belt Mishap

A 7-year-old special needs student died on a school bus in Cincinnati, Ohio, in what authorities are investigating as a possible seat belt accident. Ngone Talla was discovered unresponsive in her wheelchair on the bus after it arrived at her home on Wednesday afternoon.

Her family reported that the bus remained idle outside their residence for about 10 minutes, which was unusual. When family members went to investigate, they were allowed onto the bus and found Ngone lifeless.

“We went on the bus, and I see my sister unresponsive and lifeless. So, I’m there, I’m mad. I’m yelling in the bus. I’m like, OK, how did this happen?” Marema Talla, Ngone’s 12-year-old sister, told WLWT5.

Ngone Talla, who had cerebral palsy, was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The Hamilton County Coroner's office stated that Talla did not exhibit any signs of traumatic injury prior to her death and had an extensive medical history.

Cincinnati Police Department, along with other agencies, has launched an investigation into the incident. Cincinnati Public Schools confirmed that its Crisis Response Unit is providing support to students and staff. "Our hearts are with her family and everyone who knew and loved her. This is an unimaginable loss for them and a heartbreaking day for the Roselawn Condon community," the school district said in a statement.

The family expressed concerns about the bus driver and the monitor from First Student, the bus company, for allegedly not adequately supervising the children. Ngone's father, Abdoul Talla, stated, "The driver and a second person, they’re supposed to just watch carefully, the kids, because you cannot have these kids in this bus and you’re not watching them."

First Student confirmed that a monitor was on board the bus, which the company operated.