NEWPORT NEWS -- School officials are investigating why it appears a high school senior was forced to endure a humiliating situation aboard a school bus.

The senior at Heritage High School was returning from a cheerleading event Tuesday night in Richmond when she became sick.

Her mother says the 17-year-old was sitting in her own feces and asked the cheerleading coach to have the bus pull over.

Instead, the bus continued for about 40 minutes before stopping.

"From Richmond to Williamsburg, my daughter had to sit, sit there like that."

The mother says the coach put the health of the other girls at risk by not pulling over.

A school spokeswoman says the mother's account of the incident "seems to be accurate."

"The executive director of secondary education is investigating this incident," said schools spokeswoman Michelle Price.

The mother said she has already received an apology from the principal, but says her daughter is being tormented at school.

"I was heated because that was neglect, that was humilation," she said. "That was a form of child abuse."

The school system is investigating.