School bus driver fired after she pulled over to let student rescue injured kitten on quiet rural road

DAILYMAIL.COM • 2h ago

By DARIYA KOZHASBAY 20:37 12 Oct 2026, updated 20:46 12 Oct 2026

A beloved school bus driver was removed from her route after she let a student out of the bus to save an injured kitten in Maryland.

Last week, Cynthia Morgan, 67, was fired from her job as a school bus driver after she pulled the vehicle over to let an elementary school student pick up an injured kitten on the side of a rural road, WJZ reported.

Morgan had been a school bus driver in the Harford County Public School system in northeastern Maryland for 11 years, according to the outlet.

Upset parents started a petition to have Morgan reinstated, arguing the decision was ‘unjust’ and did not take her track record into account.

‘Over the years, Cynthia has become more than just a bus driver to our children; she is someone they look forward to seeing every morning and afternoon,’ the petition stated.

Parents argued that Morgan serves as a friendly familiar face for the children, which has a positive impact on their sense of safety, security and confidence.

‘With her track record and undeniably caring personality a two day suspension should be enough,’ the petition continues.

The petition has amassed more than 7,500 signatures in support of Morgan’s reinstatement thus far.

Parent Carolyn Kalambihis told WJZ that Morgan has been driving her kids to North Harford Elementary School for the past five years.

She said: ‘[Morgan] is an angel. She’s the most caring person. Every year at the beginning of the school year, she buys every child on the bus school supplies. She buys them gifts for Christmas, every holiday, birthdays. She’s given them birthday cards, all out of her own pocket.’

Kalambihis agrees that letting the student off the bus was a mistake but argued a short suspension, as opposed to termination, would have been a more appropriate punishment, according to WJZ.

The kitten, meanwhile, was taken to Jarrettsville Vet Center in northern Harford County, who lamented the ‘unimaginable cruelty’ it suffered.

Aside from a small injury on its nose, the kitten, who was tragically found down the road from its deceased mom, is in good shape and should be up for adoption soon, according to a video shared by the veterinary center on their Facebook page.

In a statement to CBS News Baltimore, the school district said: ‘Certification and decertification are not always based on a single factor but often involve consideration of multiple circumstances and requirements…. Student safety remains our top priority, and all certification decisions are made with that responsibility in mind.’

Morgan was employed by independent contractor Cleary Inc., not directly by the school district, according to the outlet.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the organizer of the petition, the Harford County Public School district and Cleary Inc for additional information.

Boris blasts ‘sickening’ Trump deal with Putin: Ex-PM calls on Royal Navy to intercept Russia’s…

Labour’s new ‘£9bn’ stealth tax raid: Hated freeze on thresholds set to hammer Brits even harder as…

Tiger victim ‘was on all fours, praying and bowing’ to the animal before it mauled him to death at…

Somali serial rapist sues NHS over how prescriptions are handed out in jail during Ramadan… and…

Katie Price tells court she confronted ex Kieran Hayler over claims he raped girl, 13, and asked if…

Teenage rider devastated after car crashes into her ‘Olympic’ horse Benny who had to be put down -…

Tiger attack witness reveals victim asked her to take his picture moments before he jumped into the…

Saudi Arabia’s terrified Crown Prince MBS ‘is moving between heavily guarded palaces with bunkers as…

Harry and Meghan’s new life as ‘private citizens’: Sussexes will make first joint public appearance…

Witnesses screamed at man to ‘play dead’ before he was mauled to death by tiger at Yorkshire zoo -…

These subliterate fanatics threaten the richest Arab kingdom – and the economic security of all in…

Family discover daughter, 15, is alive in her coffin during wake

Nato chief warns his forces will destroy ‘anything and everything’ if Putin is ‘foolish enough’ to…

Boris Johnson suggests Burnham is LYING about Russian interference in EU referendum – as No10…

Student carried out a ‘cold-blooded execution’ of university housemate by ‘ambushing him and…

Powerful Tropical Storm Rachel batters waterfront properties in California leaving homes crumbling…

Bus driver fired after she pulled over to let student rescue kittenComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}