Parents in Castle Rock are demanding answers and accountability after a substitute school bus driver's actions left dozens of children in a frightening situation. On Monday, the driver dropped off kids at the wrong stop, causing confusion and leaving some children miles away from home. Route #253, which many students regularly take, was affected, with the third stop leading to particular chaos.

Devastating Experiences for Families

Ashley Stark's two daughters, aged 7 and 10, were petrified. "The fear in their eyes was palpable. All the kids said they felt like they were being kidnapped," she recounted. Tony Martin's 8-year-old daughter was also on the bus and was very hysterical that night. "She didn't want to be alone as she felt like she was being kidnapped," Martin shared.Children told their parents that the bus driver parked at the school but didn't leave on time. He then allegedly drove erratically and went through all the stops, finally dropping them off at a busy intersection more than 2 miles from the school. "My kids were left stranded and abandoned on the side of the road at dark, and a stranger brought them home," Stark said. Martin's daughter rode home with a stranger but felt safe as her friend was in the back.

Investigations and Ongoing Concerns

The Douglas County School District and Castle Rock Police Department are conducting investigations into the driver's actions. The police are still collecting evidence and have not provided additional information about their findings so far. Parents are understandably concerned, with some children now scared to ride the bus. "And rightfully so, because that was incredibly traumatizing," Stark said. Martin and Stark both emphasize that there is no excuse for what happened and they want answers, including seeing the video footage from the school bus to gain a better understanding.

District's Response and Future Plans

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, Rich Cosgrove, the district's Chief Operations Officer, stated that the relief driver did not follow protocol and was supposed to notify the transportation department. He also mentioned that the regular driver for the school bus will be returning soon. However, the district is unable to share the video footage due to the ongoing investigation.Moving forward, some parents have chosen to drive their children to school instead of using the bus. This incident has raised serious questions about safety and accountability within the school district.