Sussex school bus accident; investigation ongoing, checking kids' mental health
SUSSEX, Wis. - It's been five days and major questions still remain about the bus accident that killed a five-year-old boy in Sussex.
"A precious soul full of affection, love and endless curiosity" is how the family describes 5-year-old Finn Katona in his obituary. It's a sobering reminder of just how fast life can change.
Katona was struck while transferring from a bus to a shuttle at Silver Spring Intermediate School last Thursday.
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The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department described it as an "accident," and deputies are still investigating. Officials with the school bus company say they are fully cooperating with the investigation.
School bus hits boy outside Silver Spring Intermediate School, Sussex
Katona's classmates at Willow Springs Learning Center are already back in school.
Linda Hall directs the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health, which is tasked with providing support to any family or child that needs it. That includes advice on how to talk about something as painful and traumatic as this.
"It'll take some time," Hall said. "I think the key to it really is parents being open to listen to their child."
Finn Katona (Courtesy of the Katona family)
The office utilizes a "feelings thermometer" to help talk about those emotions.
Sussex school bus accident; funeral set for boy killed
The boy hit and killed by a school bus in Sussex will be laid to rest this weekend.
"What parents want to do is really make space to listen to their children. Follow their lead in terms of what they're talking about, because that will help you respond at an age-appropriate way for them," Hall said. "The tendency is to like just tell them, 'Oh, it's gonna be okay. You're gonna be fine.' When in fact, what's gonna help them move through their feelings is to actually let them express them and give them some tips on coping."
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Instead of flowers for Katona’s funeral, the family asks for donations to a memorial fund that will be used for the "betterment of children in the communities Finn has touched."
Sussex school bus accident
Both the Hamilton School District and Dairyland-Hamilton Bus Company declined to answer questions Tuesday, Jan. 7, citing the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department's ongoing investigation.
FOX6 also reached out to the District Attorney’s Office, but did not hear back.
For more on the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health's feelings thermometers, visit its website.