The Tragic End of Fajr Atiya

Fajr Atiya, a six-year-old girl from Franklin Township, New Jersey, died on July 17, 2023, after being choked by a harness that was securing her seat on a school bus. She was a special-needs child who suffered from Emanuel syndrome, a rare chromosome disorder that affects physical and mental development. She was attending an extended program at Claremont Elementary School when the incident happened.

How She Died on the Bus

According to the criminal complaint, Fajr Atiya was strapped into a wheelchair seat with a four-point harness by the bus monitor, Amanda Davila, who then sat in the front of the bus and used her cell phone with earbuds in both ears.

During the ride, the bus hit some bumps that caused the harness to become tight around Fajr Atiya's neck, blocking her airway.

The surveillance footage from the bus showed that Fajr Atiya struggled for her life for about two minutes and 47 seconds. She let out a brief shriek and hit the bus window, but no one noticed or helped her.

Davila only realized something was wrong when the bus arrived at the school at 9:02 a.m. She freed Fajr Atiya from the harness and asked for assistance from the school staff, but it was too late.

How She Was Neglected by the Bus Monitor

Davila, a 27-year-old mother of a two-year-old special-needs child herself, had been working for Montauk Transit LLC bus company for seven years. She was charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for failing to attend to Fajr Atiya during the transport.

The investigation revealed that Davila violated the policies and procedures of the bus company by using her cell phone and wearing earbuds while on duty.

She also did not check on Fajr Atiya or adjust her harness after securing her to the seat. She admitted that she did not hear or see anything unusual during the ride.

Davila was granted a $100,000 bail and ordered to surrender her passport and have no contact with children under 18 years old. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Her Family

Fajr Atiya was born with Emanuel syndrome, which is caused by an extra chromosome that affects various parts of the body. She had multiple health issues, such as heart defects, kidney problems, hearing loss, and vision impairment. She was also non-verbal and needed special care and education.

Despite her challenges, Fajr Atiya was loved by her family and friends. Her mother, Najmah Nash, described her as "a beautiful soul who loved music and dancing." Her father, Wali Williams, said she was "a happy child who always smiled."

Her grandmother, Ann Marie Williams, said she was "a blessing who brought joy to everyone."

Fajr Atiya's family set up a GoFundMe account to pay for her funeral expenses and medical bills. They also demanded justice and answers from the school board and the bus company for their negligence and lack of accountability. They said they wanted to prevent such tragedies from happening to other children in the future.

Fajr Atiya's death sparked outrage and grief among her community and beyond. Many people expressed their condolences and support to her family on social media and donated to their GoFundMe campaign. Some also called for stricter regulations and oversight of school transportation services and special-needs education.

On July 24, 2023, a vigil was held in honor of Fajr Atiya at Claremont Elementary School. Hundreds of people attended the event, including her family members, classmates, teachers, neighbors, activists, and local officials. They lit candles, released balloons, sang songs, prayed, and shared memories of Fajr Atiya. They also demanded justice and accountability from those responsible for her death.

References:

(1) Neglect leads to the death of six-year-old Fajr Atiya Williams.

(2) What happened to Fajr Atiya Williams? Parents speak out as 6-year-old

(3) Grieving mom seeks answers from school board after her 6-year-old