Rapides Parish School Board sued for allegedly locking sleeping student in school bus for day

ALEXANDRIA – The Rapides Parish School Board is being sued by the mother of a student who claims her daughter was locked in a bus for the entire school day after she fell asleep aboard the vehicle on her way to school.

Theresa Tarleton, individually and as a natural tutrix of her minor child, filed suit against Rapides Parish School Board in the 9th Judicial District Court on April 15.

Tarleton asserts that on Nov. 17, 2014 her daughter boarded a Rapides Parish School Board school bus operated by an unknown driver. The plaintiff claims her daughter fell asleep as she was riding the bus and the defendant’s driver failed to notice she was still in the bus after all of the other children had been left off at school. Tarleton alleges that due to the defendant’s failure to inspect the bus prior to parking it her daughter was locked in it unable to escape and without access to food, water or bathroom for the entire school day until she was discovered by the driver upon preparing to take the bus out for its afternoon route.

The plaintiff contends the Rapides Parish School Board should have noticed her daughter was missing form school and notified her of the incident, but failed to do so resulting in her daughter’s ordeal.

The defendant is accused of negligence.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain and suffering, emotional instability and exacerbation of learning disabilities.

Tarleton is represented by B. Gene Taylor III of Alexandria-based Gold, Weems, Bruser, Sues & Rundell.

The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Harry F. Randow.

Case no. 252,672.