WATERVILLE, Maine — Waterville Public Schools were canceled Monday after a body was found in a bus at the junior high school, but police have said there is no danger to the public.
Waterville police received a report around 4:30 a.m. Monday notifying them that a person appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel of a bus in the parking lot of Waterville Junior High School, the department said in a news release.
Responding officers found the body inside the bus, the release stated.
Police said the Office of Chief Medical Examiner would conduct an autopsy and detectives would continue to investigate the matter. However, foul play was not suspected, according to police.
"Detectives concluded that this was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public," the release stated.
Police said the identity of the person who died would not be released until their family is notified and the matter is investigated further.
For parents in the district, there was worry over the unknowns during the morning when classes were canceled.
"It was kind of crazy," Rena Giles, a parent in the district, said. "I hope their family is OK and I'm praying for them, I'm sure it's tragic and it makes me want to cry."
Giles said she is concerned about bringing her children back to school Tuesday, saying she is concerned over the unknown of the person who died.
Waterville Public Schools include George J. Mitchell School, Albert S. Hall School, Waterville Junior High School, and Waterville Senior High School.
Superintendent Peter Hallen said the district intends to reopen schools on Tuesday. He said while the identity of the deceased is not public at this time, he confirmed the person was not faculty, staff, or a student at the school district.
"Our administrative team met this morning to develop a plan for tomorrow and we will be working with our bus drivers to coach them on how to answer questions they might receive from students on the way to school," an email from the superintendent said.