Quick Thinking Bus Driver Finds Missing Clarksville Child

October 21, 2021

Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events
may be not be relevant for the current school year.

Stephanie Dollich has been a CMCSS bus driver for over 13 years. This morning began like any other, except she had an extra level of alertness as she kept her eyes open for a missing Clarksville child. “This morning, while I was doing my route, I was looking for [the child]. I was extra cautious this morning after seeing the Clarksville Police Department’s message [on social media].”

Around 6:45 am, Stephanie spotted a child walking down the sidewalk. They matched the description given by the Police Department.

“I saw a child walking down the road. As I approached, I knew it was the missing child.” As she stopped and opened her bus door, Stephanie asked the child’s name. When it was confirmed to be the missing child, she encouraged them to board her bus.

The bus aide then wrapped the child in a blanket as Stephanie radioed CMCSS dispatchers to contact 911. The police came to meet the bus and took the child home.

“We’re all trained to be very aware of our surroundings. It could have been any one of us [bus drivers],” Stephanie says humbly, acknowledging the accomplishment.  “That’s my job, to keep students safe to school and to go home.”

Stephanie is a driver for CMCSS and transports students to the Tennessee School for the Blind. “I love all my students,” she said. “I feel great that I was in the right place at the right time.”