Family Seeks Answers After 7-Year-Old Dies on Ohio School Bus

September 22, 2026

A 7-year-old Cincinnati Public Schools student with special needs died while riding a school bus, and her family is seeking answers about what occurred during the approximately 90-minute trip home.

Ngone Talla, a Roselawn Condon School student, was nonverbal with developmental disabilities and rode the school bus in a wheelchair. Her father, Abdoula Talla, told local media that Ngone appeared healthy and happy when she went to school Wednesday morning.

Cincinnati Public Schools confirmed in a statement provided to School Transportation News that Ngone died later that day while on her school bus.

“Our hearts remain with her family and everyone who knew and loved her,” the district stated. “This is an unimaginable loss for them and a heartbreaking time for the entire CPS community, and especially those at her school.”

Ngone’s family said the bus arrived late at their Northside home at approximately 5 p.m. Abdoula said home surveillance video showed the bus remaining outside for 10 to 15 minutes before its wheelchair ramp was lowered.

Ngone’s 12-year-old sister, Marema Talla, reportedly went outside after her mother told her the school bus had arrived. She said a bus employee eventually invited family members on board, where they found Ngone motionless in her wheelchair.

Marema told local media that Ngone’s lips appeared dry, cut and bleeding, and that she could not detect a pulse or breathing. She said an bus attendant told her something had been coming from Ngone’s mouth before she became still.

Authorities have not confirmed that account or said when during the ride Ngone became unresponsive.

Abdoula said his wife and children called him after discovering that Ngone was not breathing. He said he called 911 while rushing home. Ngone was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The family is questioning why emergency responders were not called before the bus reached their home. Investigators have not said if district transportation staff or other students on school bus knew Ngone was in distress during the route or whether earlier intervention could have affected the outcome.

Substitute Monitor Working the Day of Fatality

Abdoula said the school bus route typically had a driver and an attendant responsible for monitoring students. He said the attendant working Wednesday was not Ngone’s regular attendant.

First Student, which operated the bus, stated in an email to STN that it is cooperating with local authorities and the school district.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of a student in Cincinnati and are fully cooperating with local authorities and the school district on conducting a thorough investigation,” the company stated.

First Student declined to answer questions about when employees noticed Ngone was unresponsive, whether they contacted emergency services and whether the attendant was a substitute. The company cited the active investigation.

The Cincinnati Police Department also confirmed in an email to STN that it is conducting a death investigation but declined to release additional information because the investigation remains ongoing.

The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office has not publicly announced Ngone’s cause or manner of death.

Ngone’s family remembered her as funny, energetic and loving. Abdoula said he had communicated with her teacher earlier Wednesday and was told his daughter was having a good day.

“I just want to know the truth,” he said. “She’s a lovely baby, and I just want to know the truth.”

Cincinnati Public Schools said its Crisis Response Unit has been supporting students and employees at Roselawn Condon School and throughout the district.