Ohio mother thanks stranger who rescued her 6-year-old daughter after school bus dropped her off alone

The first grader was found crying near a busy road after her school bus dropped her off earlier than expected.

An Ohio mother is crediting a stranger with helping protect her 6-year-old daughter after the first grader was found crying and walking alone near a busy road following a school bus drop-off that occurred earlier than expected.

Mari Richardson told Cleveland CBS affiliate WOIO that her daughter, Tiyonna, arrived home in a stranger’s car about 20 minutes before she had expected the school bus to bring her back. Richardson said she was still at home when the woman arrived with the child.

The woman, identified as Tiyonna Betts, told WOIO she noticed the girl alone and visibly distressed near the road and decided to intervene. Her actions ensured the child was returned to her family rather than left to navigate the journey home by herself.

“My daughter could have never made it home if it wasn’t for this lady,” Richardson said, expressing gratitude for Betts’ decision to stop and help.

Betts described the encounter as an opportunity to assist a child in need. “God led me to that baby, and I’m just overjoyed that I was used to be a blessing,” she told WOIO.

The incident has also prompted action from the company responsible for the school transportation service. Quentin Sims, chief executive and owner of Rightway Transportation, told PEOPLE that the company reviewed what happened and confirmed the driver had been reprimanded internally.

In a statement cited by PEOPLE, Sims said the review found that the first grader had been released at her designated bus stop without a parent, guardian or authorized older sibling present. He said that violated the company’s safety procedures.

Sims also confirmed that the driver had been removed from the route and completed additional training with management on student-release procedures.

“Student safety remains our highest priority,” Sims said, adding that the company was committed to preventing a similar incident from happening again.

Richardson has filed a police report. The supplied reporting does not identify the school district or specify whether law enforcement has taken further action.

The episode has raised concerns about the safeguards meant to ensure young children are handed over to an authorized adult when required. Although the transportation company says it has taken internal disciplinary steps, the available reports do not establish whether additional measures have been ordered by school officials or authorities.

The immediate outcome for Richardson, was that her daughter was brought home safely. She credited Betts’ intervention with preventing what she feared could have become a much more dangerous situation.