Inset: Patricia Barberena (Miami-Dade Corrections). Background: The intersection of SW 298th Terrace and SW 153rd Place in Miami, Florida (Google Maps).
According to an arrest affidavit from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident unfolded when deputies were dispatched to the intersection of SW 298th Terrace and SW 153rd Place. A passerby had spotted a young boy wandering alone in the area.
Officials discovered that the boy, aged 6, had missed his school drop-off after falling asleep on the bus. Believing she had completed her route, Barberena drove the bus home, parked it nearby, and went inside her house.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the boy awoke and exited the bus. His school contacted Barberena, informing her that the child had not arrived. She hurried outside and found the boy just as deputies were reaching the scene. The boy was safely reunited with his father and was unharmed.
Apparently thinking she had made all her drop-offs, Barberena drove home and parked the bus near her home and walked inside. About 15 minutes later, the boy reportedly woke up and walked off the bus.
The boy’s school alerted Barberena to tell her he never made it. She then rushed outside to find the boy around the time deputies arrived. He was later reunited with his father, unharmed.
Deputies transported Barberena to a police station for an interview. After receiving her Miranda rights, Barberena “admitted to not inspecting the bus to see if there were any students still on the bus,” cops wrote. The name of the school where she was supposed to drop the boy off was not listed in the affidavit.
“The defendant knowingly and willfully failed to provide her children with the care, supervision and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health that a prudent person would consider essential for the well being of a child,” deputies wrote.
Barberena was arrested and taken to the Miami-Dade Jail, where she has since posted a $2,500 bond. She pleaded not guilty. Her next court date is scheduled for July 31.
