In a heartbreaking case that has left a New Jersey community devastated, school bus aide Amanda Davila has been convicted of child endangerment in connection with the tragic death of 6-year-old Fajr Williams, a special needs child.
The verdict, delivered after two days of jury deliberations, acquitted Davila of more serious charges of aggravated and reckless manslaughter. She now faces a minimum of five years in prison when sentenced on March 7, although her lack of prior criminal record could lead to a reduced sentence. The harsher charges could have resulted in 10 to 20 years behind bars.
The tragedy unfolded in 2023 when Fajr, seated in her wheelchair, slid down and became fatally strangled by the harness. Surveillance footage showed Davila engrossed in her phone with earbuds in, failing to notice Fajr’s distress. Prosecutors argued that her inattention directly contributed to the child’s death.
“I still don’t have my child. She’s gone forever,” said Najmah Nash, Fajr’s mother, after the verdict. While she expressed gratitude for the prosecution’s efforts, Nash criticized Davila’s lack of accountability.
Defense attorney Michael Policastro attempted to shift blame, suggesting that the harness was improperly secured by Fajr’s older sister, not her mother. Nash vehemently rejected this claim, maintaining that her daughter was properly strapped before boarding the bus.
In her testimony, Davila expressed deep remorse, stating, “I feel bad for what happened, and I am so sorry that it did happen. I made a mistake.” She also revealed that she has been suffering from PTSD since the incident.
As the sentencing approaches, Fajr’s family vows to push for legislation in her memory to mandate better training for school bus aides, ensuring no other child faces such a preventable tragedy.
