Home / Education / Autistic Boy Escapes Classroom, Wanders Busy Road Unnoticed
Autistic Boy Escapes Classroom, Wanders Busy Road Unnoticed
20 Mar
Summary
- A child with autism escaped his classroom unnoticed by staff.
- The child wandered onto a busy road and was found by animal control.
- CPS substantiated findings of neglect and abuse based on the incident.
A lawsuit has been filed against Fayette County Public Schools by a mother whose young son, who has autism, escaped his classroom. The incident occurred last November at Meadowthorpe Elementary when the seven-year-old, who is predominantly nonverbal, climbed out of his classroom window.
The complaint details that the window in the moderate to severe disability (MSD) classroom, which the child had a known fixation with, was left unlocked and unattended. The child was reportedly unnoticed by staff as he exited the building and made his way onto a busy road nearby.
Multiple drivers alerted authorities to the child's presence on the road. He was eventually located by animal control officers and taken to the hospital, where he exhibited signs of extreme distress. An investigation by Child Protective Services substantiated claims of supervision neglect and threat of physical abuse.
The mother states her son sustained severe and permanent injuries and described the event as her "biggest fear" materializing.
