Milwaukee County bus driver who helped cold, lost boy in viral video to be honored
A Milwaukee County bus driver who helped a cold, lost 5-year-old boy will be honored Wednesday for her actions.
Karen Martinez-Casper, a driver for the Milwaukee County Transit System, saw the child standing outside without socks and shoes on the morning of Oct. 9 on Milwaukee's northwest side.
Martinez, driving Route 80, stopped, brought the boy inside the bus and called for help. A passenger took off her coat and wrapped it around the boy. With Martinez's help, police were able to reunite the 5-year-old with his family.
The entire interaction was captured on security cameras on the bus — and the footage went viral after it was shared on local and national media outlets.
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It was the fifth time in a year that a county bus driver has found a lost or missing child, according to the transit system.
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Ald. Cavalier Johnson will recognize her Wednesday afternoon.
“Karen is a shining example of public service and selflessness,” Abele said in a news release.
Johnson, who represents the city's 2nd aldermanic district, praised her for keeping the boy safe.
“In today’s day and age, too many people have a cynical view of government, but we know that people like Karen and thousands of other City and County employees are making a real difference in the lives of people every single day," Johnson said.