FORNEY, Texas – The parents of a five‑year‑old girl are pressing city officials and the Arka Montessori daycare center for answers after their daughter was discovered trapped on a daycare bus for about two hours in scorching, triple‑digit heat.
What happened
According to the family’s attorney, Michael Collier of The Collier Law Firm, the child boarded the bus on August 14 to attend after‑school care. It was her first week of school and, as Collier explained, she fell asleep on the ride. When she awoke, she was unable to exit the vehicle.
The situation went unnoticed until the child’s older sister arrived to pick her up. Daycare staff reported that the five‑year‑old was missing, prompting the sister to call her mother. The mother and sister searched the building, then moved outside and called the child’s name. The girl responded by banging on the bus door, allowing her mother to locate her.
Medical care and police response
After being rescued, the child was taken to a hospital where she received treatment for dehydration caused by the prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Forney police confirmed the incident and reported that one arrest has been made in connection with the case.
Family’s call for accountability
Father Sorie Tejan said, “I need justice for my daughter. I need justice.” The family emphasized that Texas law requires childcare centers to account for every child during transport, and they are urging stricter enforcement of those safeguards.
“Texas has specific requirements designed to prevent exactly this type of incident. When a childcare center transports children, every child is supposed to be accounted for,” Collier said.
Community and faith response
The family’s pastor, Rev. Silvanos Chapman, expressed gratitude, stating, “We give thanks and praise to God for saving the life of that little angel in our church.” The mother, Tidankay Tejan, added, “I don’t want this to happen to anybody, because the nightmare is just too much.”
Three weeks after the incident, the family remains grateful that their daughter survived and continues to call for stronger oversight to protect other children.
Next steps
Arka Montessori has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Local officials have been urged to review transportation protocols and ensure compliance with state child‑care regulations. The community is watching closely, hoping the tragedy will lead to concrete policy changes that keep children safe on school buses and daycare vehicles.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
