Depositions Related to the Death of 7 Year Old Isabella Herrera
Isabella died on January 26, 2012, a day after choking on a Hillsborough County School bus. Bella, a 7 year old student at Sessums Elementary, drove her power wheelchair onto her Hillsborough County School bus at 2:07 pm. Once on the bus, Isabella, who had a neuromuscular disorder, relied on an aide who was supposed to be trained to position her wheelchair with her head tilted back to allow her to breathe. "They were supposed to be trained by physical therapists at the school to slightly tilt her chair so her head would not bobble," says Isabella's mother, Lisa Herrera.
Hillsborough County Public School Transportation Manager Resigns
John Franklin, the general manager of Hillsborough County's transportation department resigned April 22, 2014. Franklin became manager in 2007 and helped Hillsborough County Public School (HCPS) save millions of dollars by reorganizing the transportation department. HCPS employees have been speaking out about safety issues, low morale, directives not to document safety concerns and unfair treatment by the administration. John Franklin's deposition in the lawsuit brought by the family of 7 year old Isabella Hererra can be read here. Isabella died on January 26, 2012, a day after choking on a Hillsborough County School bus. Bella, a 7 year old student
