News & Politics - 5-Yr.-Old Escapes School, Takes Bus, Buys Cake

Ambular · 01-27-2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

School's Security Pledge after Boy's Trip to Tesco

By Matt Adams, PA

A school has pledged to tighten security after a five-year-old boy slipped unnoticed from the playground and took a bus to the local supermarket to buy cake.

Aaran Taylor managed to evade a child-proof electronic gate at West Hove Infant School in East Sussex before catching a bus to Tesco a mile away.

Despite his age and size, the youngster still failed to arouse suspicion as he pushed a trolley taller than him up and down the aisles searching for his favourite treat.

It was only when a cashier began scanning the cakes through the till that Aaran was challenged and the school alerted.

His mother, Kerry Smith, 23, said: “I was frantic when I heard he’d disappeared. We scoured the school area, local parks and corner shops but we couldn’t find him anywhere.

“We did not think he would get on a bus. He was missing for about two hours and there were eight or nine teachers out looking for him. I just cannot believe he got all the way there without anyone noticing him.”

Governors at the school said staff first became aware of Aaran’s absence during registration after lunch.

Chairman of the governors Jeff White, said: “The pupil had been seen by staff less than half an hour before this. Our procedures kicked in immediately, with staff searching the premises at our school and at the neighbouring junior school, and other staff going straight to the parents’ house to make them aware of the situation.

“We believe the security arrangements at the school are generally sound. We installed the current electrically-controlled school gate in 1999, and are not aware of any problems of this nature since then.

“But we recognise that this incident raises issues about whether the mechanism could be re-designed to stop it happening again. We are reviewing this as a matter of urgency, in consultation with the LEA’s health and safety experts and with the police.”

Mr White said Aaran’s parents were generally happy with the school. Aaran was today back in class.

Mrs Smith, of Mortimer Mews, said she was disappointed that her son had managed to travel so far without the alarm being raised.

She told The Argus newspaper: “He was in his school uniform, he’s not particularly tall and he’s got quite baby features. You wouldn’t think he’s older than he is. None of the security at Tesco spotted him either. They only realised once all his cakes had been swiped through the checkout.

“The checkout girl told him the total amount before she saw there was no one with him to pay. I really can’t believe nobody stopped him in all that time. It’s amazing he even got on the bus in the first place, or knew which stop he needed for Tesco.”

No one at Tesco would comment on the incident.

I ... Don't really know to respond to this. At first I just laughed out loud at the thought of a Kindergartner escaping through an electronic gate and hopping on a bus, but then it made me angry that no one noticed. I would hate to think it'd be this easy for my kids to take off!

If I ever saw a child that young getting on or off a bus alone, I would probably call somebody! And I'm curious how he escaped in the first place ...

As someone else's comment from another forum was on this: I think I'd be torn between being angry with the school for letting her "escape", and being proud of her for successfully navigating mass transit to the grocery store.

MalloryKeaton · 01-27-2005, 02:30 PM

Wow. That's kind of frightening to think that a child that young can go unnoticed even for a short amount of time. The fact that it didn't dawn on anyone that he shouldn't be on the bus by himself, or shopping at a store by himself is strange. At least the cashier, finally, realized something wasn't right.

LittleMilkJug · 01-27-2005, 11:11 PM

What a clever child

Though I can't imagine what the mother went through.

Lain · 01-27-2005, 11:19 PM

That is so cute...technology these days LoL

roswellain_chick16 · 01-28-2005, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMilkJug

What a clever child

Though I can't imagine what the mother went through.

Yeah, the poor mother, but that is one bright, brave little guy - and he sure knows what he likes to eat doesnt he

phyco52 · 01-28-2005, 01:16 PM

huh.............

.....this is my rational right now.........smart kid......but seriously no one noticed...........how does that happen with an electronic gate..........this is just weird............and another thing......he was carrying money for the bus and to buy cake.........or whatever........isnt that somewhat strange......hmmmmmmmm something to think about

SuGarPlum_Fairy · 01-28-2005, 03:28 PM

LOL, dunno what to say, I dont know how noone noticed him on the bus, a 5 yr. old traveling all by himself

I would have at least alerted the driver or somthing.

I would prolly go buy cake too..

In Fair Verona · 01-29-2005, 12:39 PM

I would have been a little suspicious but I probably wouldn't have done anything because I didn't know anything about the situation. I'm sure people noticed him, they just didn't know if it was a big deal or not.

I think it's sort of adorable that he was picking out cake. He seems like a cute kid.

mh67511 · 01-29-2005, 12:54 PM

That's one smart kid! I don't know too many 5-year-olds who know how to take the bus. But I'm surprised the bus driver didn't say anything...

A.Film.By.Tiff · 01-30-2005, 01:23 AM

That's kind of funny. Seems like something a child character on a tv show would do.

I can't believe he escaped through the "child-proof gate." That school really does need to beef up security.

imajica · 01-30-2005, 06:41 PM

wow this kid was brave enough to try for every kindergarteners dream: replacing of boring school with cake, i really hope they let him have some after all that!

Cutiegrrl884 · 01-31-2005, 09:10 AM

Aw, that is a cute and funny story. That kid is so brave.

You can't help but wonder where the school was, just frolicking around while he snuck out and bought cake.

*Lauren · 01-31-2005, 08:01 PM

Personally I'm disgusted that the kid's name is Aaran. The name is spelled AarOn. The poor kid will be spelling it for the rest of his life. I HATE kr8tiv spelling.

mh67511 · 01-31-2005, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Lauren

Personally I'm disgusted that the kid's name is Aaran. The name is spelled AarOn. The poor kid will be spelling it for the rest of his life. I HATE kr8tiv spelling.

Argh I know! I'm just glad I'm not a teacher because I'd have a hell of a time trying to pronounce everything.

Supernova7 · 02-01-2005, 12:35 PM

I don't think it matters.


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