A New Jersey school bus aide who was on her phone while the disabled 6-year-old behind her strangled on her wheelchair harness has landed three years behind bars.
Amanda Davila, 28, was found guilty of child endangerment earlier this year in the death of little Farj Williams, who died on the way to summer programs at an elementary school in Franklin Park in Somerset County in 2023.
Surveillance video showed Davila was wearing earbuds and owas n her phone at the time, unaware that Farj began struggling when the bus hit a bumpy patch, “which made the four-point harness become tight around her neck” according to the criminal complaint obtained by NJ.com.
Farj was nonverbal and suffered from a chromosomal disorder known as Emanuel syndrome, which can stunt physical and mental development.
The distracted aide didn’t notice the little girl trying to get her attention by gasping, kicking the bus window and flailing her arms and legs, authorities said.
By the time the bus arrived at its destination, Farj was unconscious. She later died at the hospital.
Defense lawyer Michael Policastro lamented at his client’s sentencing last week that this was a terrible tragedy but noted that Davila did not have a prior record and was the mother of a 4-year-old child with severe autism.
He argued for probation and said Davila was only part of the problem.
“She takes responsibility for any part she played,” Policastro told the judge, according to ABC 7. “She’s one slice of the pie.”
Then Davila stood to address the court and apologized for her actions.
“I’m sorry. My heart goes out to the mother and the family,” Davila said in a quiet voice.
She had been found not guilty of the more serious changes of aggravated and reckless behavior.
Her reckless-endangerment conviction did not necessarily guarantee prison time, NBC said.
Judge Peter Tober ended up sentencing Davila to three years in prison plus a $20,000 payment to the victim’s compensation fund. She has 45 days to appeal her sentence.
“She had one job. She didn’t do it, and because she didn’t do it, Fajr Williams is dead,” said Assistant Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Mclaughlin, according to NBC 4.
The victim’s mother said nothing as she walked out of court, according to ABC 7.
The family had received a $5 million settlement with the school-bus operator.
