Seven-year-old Ngone Talla became unresponsive during her ride home as police and the coroner investigate what happened.
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The family of a 7-year-old Cincinnati Public Schools student is seeking answers after the girl became unresponsive in her wheelchair during a school bus ride home and later died, prompting investigations by police and other authorities.
Ngone Talla, a second grader at Roselawn Condon School, died Sept. 16 after traveling home aboard a bus operated by First Student, a private transportation company that contracts with Cincinnati Public Schools. Her family said Ngone was nonverbal, used a wheelchair and had significant medical needs. The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office has said she had cerebral palsy and an extensive medical history. Officials have not announced a final cause of death.
Family members said the bus arrived at their home but remained outside for about 10 minutes without the usual process of opening the rear doors and preparing the wheelchair ramp. Concerned relatives went outside and learned Ngone was not responding. Her sister, Marema Talla, told WLWT that she boarded the bus and found Ngone unresponsive in her wheelchair.
Ngone’s father, Abdoul Talla, said he was called after his daughter was found not breathing. Emergency responders were contacted, and Ngone was taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Cincinnati Police Department opened a death investigation. Police have not publicly announced evidence of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the case.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office said an examination found no traumatic injuries or signs of physical harm related to Ngone’s death. The office said she became unresponsive while in her wheelchair and noted her medical history. That finding has not resolved the central question facing investigators and her family: when Ngone became unresponsive and what caused her condition during the trip home.
Some early reports raised questions about whether a restraint or seat belt may have played a role, but authorities have not established that as the cause of Ngone’s death. First Student has said the investigation remains active and has not confirmed those reports. The company said it is cooperating with local authorities and Cincinnati Public Schools.
There were two adults aboard the bus, a driver and a monitor, according to reporting by WLWT. Cincinnati Public Schools said the monitor was employed by First Student. The company has not publicly said when either adult first realized Ngone was in distress or whether the problem was noticed before the bus reached her home.
Ngone’s family has focused on those unanswered questions. Her father said he wants investigators to determine what happened during the ride and why her condition was not identified sooner. The family has said Ngone appeared healthy and happy when she left for school that morning. Authorities have not released a detailed timeline showing her condition throughout the trip.
Cincinnati Public Schools said the district was grieving Ngone’s death and sent its Crisis Response Unit to Roselawn Condon School to support students and employees. First Student also expressed condolences to Ngone’s family, classmates and school community while saying it could not release further details because of the active investigation.
As investigators continue reviewing the circumstances, no final cause of death has been publicly announced. The coroner’s finding of no traumatic injuries leaves significant questions unresolved, including when Ngone became unresponsive and whether anything during the trip contributed to her death.
Author note: Last updated September 20, 2026.