DEARBORN (WWJ) -- A tearful mother spoke out about her 13-year-old autistic son who was choked on a Dearborn school bus two weeks ago.
Zeinab Nassar said at Monday’s school board study session that her non-verbal son, Hussein, was choked by a harness that was meant to protect him while on a third-party school bus hired by Dearborn Public Schools for special needs students.
"On April 27, I received a phone call that I pray no mother receives," said Nassar, speaking about how she was notified of the incident.
She said that by the time Hussein got to school, his lips were blue, his eyes were red and he had red spots on his face due to the lack of oxygen.
Two weeks later and the mother says she still hasn't received direct answers on what happened to her son and the "bits and pieces" she is hearing don't add up to the "evidence."
"I would have expected some compassion. I would have expected some honesty given," she said. "My son almost died and each and every one of you is responsible for this."
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Nassar also said that this isn't the first incident like this on a bus, adding that several parents aren't letting their kids ride the bus because of negative experiences.
According to Nassar, the third-party busses meant for the special needs students have a new driver almost daily and said the staff isn't trained nor familiar with the children and their needs.
She also said that the cameras on some of the buses aren't working, including the bus Hussein was on during the incident.
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Hussein's bruises around his neck haven't completely healed yet, according to Nassar.
"It breaks my heart and kills me every time I think what Hussein went through; the fear, the pain, the struggle."
During the meeting, Dearborn School board administration and officials stated they are aware and will be investigating the incident.