Last Updated on January 9, 2023 by CCAR Staff
WHITTIER >> The District Attorney’s Office on Friday filed charges against a bus driver accused of leaving an autistic teen in a school bus for several hours in sweltering weather. The 19-year-old died from overheating.
A prosecutor charged Armando Abel Ramirez, 37, of Apple Valley with a felony count of dependent adult abuse causing death, according to Sarah Ardalani, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.
She said Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of nine years if convicted. Because he posted bond, Ramirez’s arraignment will be held April 25 at Bellflower Superior Court.
The charge stems from the Sept. 11 death of Hun Joon “Paul” Lee of Whittier who was autistic and non-verbal. Lee attended Sierra Vista Adult School in Whittier Union High School District.
Ramirez was then a substitute driver for Pupil Transportation Cooperative which is contracted by the district to provide bus service. He drove the bus where Lee was found.
Ardalani said Ramirez, who was working a split shift, believed Lee got off the bus to go to school.
But the prosecution alleged that Ramirez did not walk to the back of the bus and didn’t look over his shoulder to check if anyone was left in the bus. After his morning shift, Ramirez returned the bus to the bus yard, filled out paper work and left for home.
When Lee had not returned home from school at 3:30 p.m., his family called the school and Whittier police.
Ardalani said a dispatcher told Ramirez that Lee was missing when he returned to work for the second part of his shift.
Ramirez went to check the bus that was parked at the district lot rented by the bus company at Mulberry Drive and Greenleaf Avenue. He discovered an unresponsive Lee at 4:25 p.m. and called for help.
Attempts to resuscitate Lee failed. He died at the scene.
Arriving officers found Lee lying on the floor of the bus, according to Ardalani. She said all of the windows in the bus were closed and the temperature that day was near 90 degrees.
Authorities have not said how long Lee was left in the bus before he was discovered.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lee’s family against the school district and the bus company claims Lee was never dropped off at Sierra Vista Adult School after being picked up from home.
The suit alleged that the bus driver parked the bus and locked it with Lee inside.
Whittier police arrested Ramirez Tuesday at his home.
