On the evening of Sept. 16, a tragic incident occurred in the Roselawn Condon neighborhood of Cincinnati when 7‑year‑old Ngone Talla was found unresponsive in her wheelchair on the school bus that had just arrived at her home. The Hamilton County Coroner’s office later ruled the death accidental, attributing it to positional asphyxiation.
What the coroner’s report says
The coroner’s findings indicate that Talla’s wheelchair was equipped with a five‑point seat‑belt restraint system. During a movement, her butt slipped from the seat while her torso turned to the right, causing the restraint to compress her neck and chin. The resulting compression led to rapid asphyxiation and loss of consciousness. The report also noted a delay in contacting emergency services after the child was discovered.
Initial communications among district leaders
Emails obtained by WLWT show that First Student CEO John Kenning left a voicemail for Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Shauna Murphy at 8:03 p.m., stating, “We have a tragic event going on and I wanted to reach out to you.” Less than an hour later, Murphy emailed CPS board members, relaying that the bus driver and monitor had not strapped the child properly, a claim that later statements clarified was based on information available before the coroner’s investigation.
Responses from CPS and First Student
CPS released an updated statement affirming that Talla was a beloved child and that the district’s September 16 message reflected the information known at the time. The district emphasized its continued support for the family and the Roselawn Condon community.
First Student issued a statement expressing grief and confirming its cooperation with CPS and authorities. The company noted that at the time of the CEO’s call, “many facts were still unknown,” and that the characterization of the conversation did not reflect the later findings of the coroner’s report.
Family’s perspective
Ngone’s family reported that the bus remained outside their home for about ten minutes before the doors opened. When the doors did not open for the wheelchair ramp, they went outside and were told the child was unresponsive. Sister Marema Talla described the moment she saw her sister on the bus as “unresponsive and lifeless,” adding that she was “mad” and shouted for answers.
Father Abdoul Talla recounted receiving a call on Wednesday afternoon that his daughter was not breathing. He described driving to the bus, seeing his daughter, and calling 911. He expressed frustration, saying, “The driver and a second person, they’re supposed to just watch carefully, the kids, because you cannot have these kids in this bus and you’re not watching them.” He also noted the hot weather on the day of the incident and said he is awaiting the investigation’s conclusions.
Ongoing investigation
Both CPS and First Student have pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. No criminal charges have been filed, and authorities continue to gather facts to determine any additional safety measures needed for students with special needs.
Community response
The incident has sparked concern among parents and community members about transportation safety for children with disabilities. Local advocacy groups are calling for a review of bus safety protocols, including proper use of restraint systems and monitoring procedures.
As the investigation proceeds, CPS officials and First Student remain committed to transparency and to supporting the Talla family during this difficult time.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
