School bus drags 4-year-old in Central New York

A 4-year-old pre-kindergarten student was briefly dragged approximately 15 feet after her backpack became caught in the doors of a school bus in Martville, Central New York. The incident occurred on Follett Road involving a student from the Cato-Meridian Central School District.

According to New York State Police, the bus doors closed while part of the child's backpack remained inside, and the vehicle began moving before the driver realized the situation. The child's grandparents witnessed the event and attempted to alert the driver. Following the incident, the child was taken to urgent care but sustained no physical injuries.

The New York State Police investigated the matter by reviewing bus camera footage. The Cayuga County District Attorney's Office has declined to prosecute, and the state police stated that no criminal charges will be filed against the driver. While the school district has not commented on the driver's employment status, the family reported that the driver has not been on the child's route since the accident.