My child, who has special needs, was left by EverDriven, a third-party company contracted by Fort Worth ISD, at a stranger’s home miles away from ours after his school ride. This was a major act of neglect—I never authorized him to be left at this location.

 The family of another student was panicking because they didn’t know what to do—they didn’t know who my child belonged to. They tried to contact me via Facebook and Instagram but couldn’t. All the children in that vehicle had the same special education teacher, which is why they reached out to that particular teacher. Once identified, the teacher later provided me with the address where he could be picked up.

 This was a blatant act of neglect. This incident has had a profound impact on me; I was overcome with sadness, anxiety, and panic as I rushed to get to him. No parent should ever endure this.

We expect a full investigation, clear accountability, and the implementation of strict safety protocols so that no child is ever forgotten or left in harm’s way again. We demand that every student’s safety be prioritized, and we expect this outcome to bring lasting change.