Nationwide — Michael Perrin, a 7-year-old African American boy who has Down Syndrome, suffered a black eye and a bloody face after falling on his school bus. His mother, Elizabeth Aguero, 52, is calling for justice and stronger safety measures for children with special needs.
Aguero says her son had been on the Resica Elementary School bus in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, for just 45 minutes on the morning of June 5 when school officials called her. They told her Michael was bleeding and asked if they should call an ambulance. “It’s hard to describe. It was horrible. It was hard to see my baby covered in blood,” Aguero told People.
When Aguero arrived, Michael was crying. Nurses on hand said they didn’t know exactly what happened, only that he had fallen off the bus. Photos showed a black eye and red scratches across his face. At St. Luke’s Hospital, doctors confirmed two fractures and a swollen, leaking eye.
Aguero says the school initially refused to show her the surveillance footage of the incident. Frustrated, she filed a police report with the Pennsylvania State Police on June 6. The police later provided the video, which confirmed the fall. Aguero insists the bus staff acted negligently and failed to properly supervise her son.
“I want better training,” Aguero said. “Michael is not the first, but I want him to be the last. No one should have immunity against child negligence. That was total negligence. Michael is a special needs child. I want justice.”
Michael is now healing, but Aguero remains determined. She is focused on keeping him safe while advocating for changes to prevent similar accidents. The case has drawn national attention, with public figures like Cardi B showing support on social media.