School Bus Aide Sentenced to 3 Years for Death of Special Needs Girl

Sentencing of School Bus Aide

• ⚖️ A former school bus aide, Amanda Dila, was sentenced to 3 years in prison for her role in the death of a six-year-old special needs girl, Faza Williams.
• 💔 The child's mother, Njma Nash, found the sentence insufficient and walked out of the courtroom as Dila offered an apology.

Circumstances of the Death

• 👧 Faza Williams, a non-verbal child with special needs, suffocated when the harness of her wheelchair tightened against her throat.
• 📱 Dila, seated in front of the child, was reportedly wearing earbuds and focused on her phone, failing to check on the student.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Factors

• 🚨 Dila was found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Judge Peter Tober considered Dila's lack of prior criminal record and her own four-year-old child with autism in reducing the potential 10-year sentence.
• 💰 In addition to prison time, Dila was ordered to pay nearly $20,000 to a victim's compensation fund.

Appeal and Probationary Program

• 📅 Dila was immediately taken into custody and has 45 days to appeal her sentence.
• 🤞 Her attorney is seeking to have her released in 3 months under an intense probationary program.