Brief

California teen hospitalized after extreme heat on school bus

Mother says her son was left on a hot bus for minutes, prompting a call for safety measures.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:58:05 GMT

Marisol Wojciechowski says her 15‑year‑old autistic son, Gabriel, was hospitalized on Oct. 7 after severe dehydration on a Hilltop High School bus in Chula Vista, California, where temperatures reached 97 °F.

Wojciechowski told NBC San Diego that Gabriel, a freshman with special needs, is released from school about 30 minutes early and must wait on the bus for other students to arrive. She said the bus had no air‑conditioning and that Gabriel could not communicate his discomfort. She described symptoms that began in early September, including nosebleeds, headaches, light‑headedness and, eventually, extreme dehydration that required IV fluids.

Wojciechowski said the bus driver told her it was normal for students to sit on the bus in such heat. She intervened, taking Gabriel to the emergency room, where doctors confirmed severe dehydration. The mother is now urging the school district to adopt safety precautions, stating, “I want them to put the kids first. Leaving them on the bus is not safe, not even for five minutes during the heat.”

Key facts

Gabriel, a 15‑year‑old autistic student, was hospitalized for severe dehydration. (nypost.com)
The incident occurred on a Hilltop High School bus in Chula Vista, where temperatures hit 97 °F. (nypost.com)
Wojciechowski says the bus lacked air‑conditioning and the driver considered the heat normal. (nypost.com)
Doctors administered IV fluids to treat Gabriel's dehydration. (nypost.com)
The mother is requesting the school district implement safety measures for students on buses during heat waves. (nypost.com)