[49/29 News] VIAN, Okla. school bus driver accused of picking up a non-student told 40/29 News she was fired today.Katie Chapman was originally suspended for 10 days for picking up an unauthorized person with students on board.
Chapman told 40/29 she picked up a mother at a bus stop who was waiting for her children. Chapman had been given permission drop students off at bus stops that day, but to take them to their homes because police were searching the area for a suspect who was on the run.
40/29 News obtained a copy of the letter informing Chapman of her termination. It says Chapman did not have permission to allow the woman on board, and told students not to tell anyone about it. It also says the woman brought her dog onto the bus, and rode on the stairs, in violation of safe driving guidelines. The letter also says the woman Chapman let on board had a criminal record and was on probation for drug-related charges.
"When questioned, you insisted that your actions were proper in light of the circumstances and, that if given the opportunity, you would again engage in the same conduct."
"I felt it was the humanitarian thing to do," Chapman said. "I didn't hesitate to give that woman a ride home because I felt she was in danger."
Chapman said on Tuesday, September 12, she was told not to drop off students at the bus stop and to take them home because police were searching the area for a suspect who was on the run. Chapman says she stopped at the bus stop when she saw a mother waiting for her children.
"At that time she was terrified," Chapman said she asked the woman if she wanted a ride.
"I said, stay in the step well and keep the dog on a leash; she didn't budge, she was on the bottom most stair and she was no danger at all."
Chapman was fired late Thursday afternoon. She said she had been a school bus driver for the district for the past 12 years and that she loved her job.