Local Bus Driver To Receive State Honor For Saving Child

September 7, 2014

An Escambia County School District bus driver will receive statewide recognition for saving a young boy found wandering along in the middle of Kingsfield Road.

Bus driver Daisy Robinson will be honored Monday as Florida Missing Children’s Day School Bus Operator of the Year. She was selected for the honor by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board.

As first reported on NorthEscambia.com,  Robinson, her bus 1-12 loaded with Ransom Middle School students, found the child on October 28, 2013, in Kingsfield Road in the area of Pauline Street and the railroad tracks, just off Highway 95A. She managed to safely coach the 3-year old onto her bus and radio bus dispatch for help, according to Rob Doss, the Escambia County School District’s director of transportation.

After waiting for a short time period, she moved her bus to the parking lot of a nearby gas station to wait for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to arrive. The young boy was not injured.

“Daisy’s alert, prompt and heroic actions were instrumental in ensuring that little boy would not be killed, seriously injured, or abducted as he walked on the roadway that morning alone and oblivious to the danger,” Doss said. “We are proud of  all of our school bus operators, but when this happened, we were particularly proud of Daisy and we were very happy for the little boy whose life was saved.”

Robinson was honored for her quick thinking in what could have been a potential tragedy  by the Escambia County School Board and  Superintendent Malcolm Thomas as the District’s Stellar Employee of the month last December.

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident after it was discovered the child had been living in squalor at a nearby trailer, with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reporting that “the smell was horrible and the conditions appeared even worse” inside the home.

The deputy reported there were roaches crawling on the floor and counters. There were no drinks or food in the refrigerator or  freezer. The refrigerator contained dead roaches, according to the arrest report. The house was in a mess with clothing covering the floors. The three mattresses in the house for the child were very dirty and stained; one was covered with dog feces.

Cynthia Faye Godwin and Michael Roy Godwin were both convicted of three counts each of child neglect, and both were sentenced to three years probation.

Comments

13 Responses to “Local Bus Driver To Receive State Honor For Saving Child”

  1. haley on September 10th, 2014 10:17 am

    Way to go Daisy. This little baby could have been killed. Thank God you found him and brought him to safety.

  2. tadricka Robinson on September 9th, 2014 8:59 am

    Thanks to for the great comments to my mom. She is a great woman and I love u. She say thanks as well

  3. Paige Roberts on September 8th, 2014 6:10 pm

    Good Job Ms. Robinson I am very proud of you… I was on that bus and I glad we found that little boy when we did..

  4. daniel on September 8th, 2014 10:19 am

    Great to hear of concerned and caring people willing to get involved. This lady didn’t just save this child from and immediate danger of injury or possible death but her actions have brought the living conditions this child was being forced to live in to the attention of child services, possibly having a life long effect. Daisy you were The Day’s Eye that day.

  5. Janine Walker on September 7th, 2014 7:57 pm

    Way to go Daisy. We are so proud of you!

  6. John Pitta on September 7th, 2014 1:03 pm

    I will be an honor to meet you at the event tomorrow. Great job

  7. Melissa Miller on September 7th, 2014 9:36 am

    Great Job daisy. We love you and are so honored to work with you.

  8. Darlene Hart on September 7th, 2014 8:13 am

    Daisy I am so blessed to have you as a friend and co-worker. You are always kind and loving to all you come into contact with. You saved the life of this child on October 28th, with no mention of those children’s lives you touch everyday. A smile in the morning and a kind word to a child makes a lifetime of difference.God bless you.

  9. Puddin on September 7th, 2014 7:21 am

    YAAA DAISY! Way to go. :-D Thanks for your quick thinking and the descision to take action. Proud of you lady. :-D

  10. Bob C on September 7th, 2014 7:15 am

    Our bus drivers see the same kids every day in pick up and in returning them home.
    Often they are the ones to spot any changes in the kids behaviors, way they are dressed and their personal hygiene which can all be signs of signaling underlying issues or changes for the child and/or family. Drivers are very observant and can be lifesavers in many ways.

    Ms. Robinson, Thank You for the Love and Care you showed in this instance.
    Bus Drivers have a Lot of HEART……

  11. Jamie R. on September 7th, 2014 1:45 am

    Had he never ran off and been found, this baby could have living in those conditions for Lord knows how long. Thank God she took action and involved law enforcement!

  12. Renea Daniel on September 7th, 2014 1:39 am

    Anyone that is lucky enough to know Daisy Robinson is a better person for it. She is the most caring and considerate person I have ever known. I love you my friend ❤️

  13. bigbill1961 on September 7th, 2014 12:57 am

    My hat is off to you Daisy, may God bless you!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive