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Child found alone in hot school van, deputies say
A mother says she panicked after learning her 5-year-old daughter had been left alone for more than an hour inside a hot school van, prompting an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A mother says she panicked after learning her 5-year-old daughter had been left alone for more than an hour inside a hot school van, prompting an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Tekaria Harris says she is now considering pursuing legal action.
The backstory:
The incident happened Tuesday at Tri-L Christian Academy, according to the child’s mother, who said the school routinely transports students to a nearby daycare just minutes away.
Harris said her daughter’s aunt arrived at the daycare for pickup but was told the girl had never been dropped off.
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When the aunt went to the school to ask where the child was, she said staff initially claimed they were unfamiliar with the girl and told her there were no surveillance cameras to review. Harris said the situation escalated to the point where her sister called 911 — and the school did as well.
Deputies arrived and asked the bus driver to recheck the vehicle. The girl was found asleep and drenched in sweat in the back of the van.
First responders evaluated the child, who suffered from dehydration but was otherwise unharmed.
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Harris said the school apologized but finds its explanation unacceptable. She said she is considering legal action, arguing that checking attendance and ensuring empty vehicles should be "everyday protocol."
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation is in its early stages. Tri-L Christian Academy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and an interview with Takeria Harris on Dec. 5, 2025.