Charges Filed in Connection with Child Left on School Bus in Montville

Charges have been filed against Frank J. Blair, 61, after a four-year-old special needs student was left unsupervised on a school bus in Montville for two-and-a-half hours. The incident took place on July 10, 2025, when staff at Valley View Elementary School noticed the child's absence and contacted the parents, who confirmed the child had boarded the bus that morning. Emergency responders found the child alone on the bus and transported them to a hospital due to an elevated heart rate and low blood pressure. Blair has been charged with second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for not checking the bus in accordance with state regulations and company policies.

He has been released with conditions that prevent him from supervising minors. The Montville Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office led the investigation into this troubling incident. Following this event, concerns regarding school bus safety protocols have been raised, highlighting the importance of proper checks to ensure the welfare of students. This case underscores the critical need for adherence to safety measures in educational transportation.