What would you do?

louden48 · 08-23-2006

Today I received a call from the place where my child goes to after school care (this is the place where he has been taking gymnastics for the past 6 months). The lady on the other end of the line said, "Mrs. Louden48, have you talked to the school?" I'm thinking..."great, Christian has gone and gotten himself into trouble and he's only been in kindergarten 3 days!" She added, "David went to the school to pick up Christian and his friends all said he was in line waiting for his daycare bus to pick him up. All we can find is his backpack in the hall. David has left to return the other kids to the gym and is on his way back up there." I immediately rush to the school, calling ahead to make them call the school district police officers and the sheriff. They still can't find him. They look under portables, do over head pages, search the entire school top to bottom and are also calling all of the daycares that pick up kids from Christian's school...no sign of my baby.

The Northside PD never do show up but a sheriff's deputy does arrive and I begin the gut wrenching desciption of Christian; what he's wearing, his build, his habits, his friends, etc. ~All the while thinking, this cannot be happening. It's like an episode from "Without a Trace." It's all I can do to not throw up all over the place. I tried my best and made Jeff ("just one more time") back to the house and into the neighborhood calling for him, just to make sure that he didn't decide to just go home on his own...still no trace of him. Now there are about 20 people in the office. The grounds were searched again and again and they were all back to find out what the next step will be. All of the daycares they talked to said they had not seen him.

We were devastated and I was afraid my worst nightmares were about to come to fruition as school had been out for an hour and he was still missing. I know that the first few hours are critical when searching for a missing child. Horrible images kept running through my head. All of a suddden I hear a teacher yell from the other end of the school, "We've found him!!!! He's ok!!!!" He's crying and a very hot, sweaty mess. I reached for him and he collapses in my arms, all of us crying. All I can do is hold him and try not to let him go. I was so thankful that my baby was ok.

Awash with relief, the counselor for his age group invited him to her office where she debriefed him with one of my friends in the room. Anger quickly set in when Jeff and I started asking questions about what had occurred to make Christian go missing.

It seems that he was waiting in the hall with the rest of the children who needed to be picked up from the school to go to daycare. One of his new friends was going to Country Home daycare and was upset..as this was his first week in that particular daycare. He was crying and Christian comforted him. The friend's daycare bus arrived and they (Country Home daycare staff) were calling names (first names only) of the children that were to ride their bus. Apparently they called "Christian...Christian...Christian" several times and being a new kindergartener, he figured they meant him and he need to go with them. Note: Christian was wearing a name tag with his first and last names on it. It also had the name of the daycare bus he was supposed to ride on.

When he was getting on the bus he told the girl/lady/whoever it was that he was supposed to be going to Powerhouse (gymnastics). She told him, "Go sit down" and dismissed him. They took off in the bus heading for Country Home Daycare with Christian, leaving the school and all of Christian's belongings behind.

Sometime after they got to the daycare, they realized that Christian was not their student (some 30-45 minutes after school was out). Ya know what they did? They took him back on the bus, never bothering to call the school and let them know that he was ok, and returned him to the school. They let him out with the teacher who yelled the announcement that he was found, and LEFT! They didn't even have the guts to come in, face the music, and apologize!

I'm incensed! This should NEVER have happened. The school officials did what they were supposed to do, however, the daycare employees did not follow proper transportation guidelines. They left without even doing a headcount or checking Christian's name tag on his shirt. After we left the school...read: removed Jeff so he didn't go to jail for getting into an argument with one of the sheriff deputies (another story)...I filed a complaint with Child Care Licensing through the Tx Dept. of Protective and Regulatory services. We'll see what happens tomorrow!

What would you do?

jamesblonde · 08-23-2006

Right now I'm too stunned to speak.

jamesblonde · 08-23-2006

Thinking about it more. I'm still speechless. I know one thing, someone would have had to hold me back from getting my fingers wrapped around the twit's neck from the daycare. Personally, I would pay a visit to the place. I also probably would have thrown up. I remember my daughter disappearing for about 1 minute in the mall and I thought I was going to die. My heart goes out for all of you. And personally, I would have gladly sent bail money if Jeff had kicked some sheriff arse!!

louden48 · 08-23-2006

I'm still pretty angry. I called and talked to his teacher awhile ago who was frantic with worry when she was told of what had happened. She cried with us tonight when we found him. She told me thin evening she lept having to convince herself that if she was too busy throwing up in the bathroom (what she felt like doing, she wouldn't be able to help find Chrstian.

I'm fact, I'm not sure I can sleep tonight. I can't let it go!

louden48 · 08-23-2006

I was hoping that writing it all down would be cathartic. ...so far, no luck...

louden48 · 08-23-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

Thinking about it more. I'm still speechless. I know one thing, someone would have had to hold me back from getting my fingers wrapped around the twit's neck from the daycare. Personally, I would pay a visit to the place. I also probably would have thrown up. I remember my daughter disappearing for about 1 minute in the mall and I thought I was going to die. My heart goes out for all of you. And personally, I would have gladly sent bail money if Jeff had kicked some sheriff arse!!

You're right, it is, for that person's sake, probably better that she didn't meet Jeff coming in the door or we *would* be calling Stewart G for some advice and counsel! I have no doubt that any number of the people we dealt with today at the school and his gymnastics would have though twice about posting bail for Jeff!

**SunKneeMarie** · 08-23-2006

Oh, I am crying. I cannot imagine the fear you guys were feeling. That just tears up my heart.

And, like you, it makes me angry. When they have all of these safeguards in place and someone just doesn't pay attention. Especially this early in the school year.

Just raise hell for awhile and make sure your story is heard. There is nothing that can be "done" about what happened to Christian, but it will make everyone in the childcare cycle that much more vigilant. This will hopefully prevent a repeat occurrence with another child. That's about the only good that can come of this.

That and the obvious good thing which was your happy ending. Hug him again and again. And an extra one from me.

BonnyW · 08-24-2006

Wow.

You handled yourself well.

You probably already have done what I would have done...file a complaint with the licensing board for that childcare place, and file a report with Child Protective Services (CPS).

The person that was in charge of the transportation to the childcare place is responsible for making sure that the children in their care are okay. That was not done, and it was knowingly not done. At the very least the childcare place should fire the person responsible for making that decision (to drop him back without calling the school), and give you, Christian's teacher, and the Kindergarten, letters of apology.

However, I am so glad that he is safe... and I hope he doesn't have any associated problems.

Mismo · 08-24-2006

I don't have any children, but have to tell you, I'd be contacting whatever State agency regulates child care, etc. I'm so sorry for your, and your husband's, and your child's experience. Turn your outrage into action to help ensure that no other family goes through this experience. God bless.

louden48 · 08-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mismo

I don't have any children, but have to tell you, I'd be contacting whatever State agency regulates child care, etc. I'm so sorry for your, and your husband's, and your child's experience. Turn your outrage into action to help ensure that no other family goes through this experience. God bless.

Oh, believe me, I'm a social worker by trade...now I'm a Social Worker with a cause! Lookout!

This won't die without a fight. I'll guarantee this never happens at this school for the rest of the years Christian is enrolled there. I'll make sure they don't forget it. I drive by that particular daycare every day, sometimes 3-4 times a day. I will not set foot in that place. All I can say is, I hope they remember what a shameful act they performed in not facing the music when the State gets ahold of them! How irresponsible to not at least call the school and tell them that they made a mistake and are returning Christian. That was at least 20 minutes of worry and hand wringing that didn't have to happen!

emc · 08-24-2006

My mouth is still hanging open. I can't imagine the horror you went through.
As Bonnie said, you handled it very well. I would have been in jail for attempted murder.

TAPPY · 08-24-2006

Write a letter to your local newspaper detailing the event and name the daycare.

Jillian · 08-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Write a letter to your local newspaper detailing the event and name the daycare.

Thats such a good idea Tappy!

I would have done everything that you have already done. Believe me, when my son goes to Kindergarten this is what I am most fearfull of. I'm glad every worked out fine in the end and he is safe and sound.

Kellyk · 08-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by louden48

Oh, believe me, I'm a social worker by trade...now I'm a Social Worker with a cause! Lookout!

...Laughing of course to the above statement

Oh Christy... I am so sorry you and Jeff had to go through this. My stomach is in knots reading this! I would be raising 10 kinds of hell and being in someones face until I got a sincere appology and saw that daycare worker in the unemployement line. Call the newspapers, call the TV station..(one of my clients is a newscaster and she loves stuff like this), radio stations...you name it. Parents need to know that this place is not using proper, safe proticals for transporting their precious children. I hope Christian is okay today...what a scary thing for such a young person. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. A big hug to you and Jeff and most of all Christian...the little cutie..

PS....Jeff, I got your back.

Buckly · 08-24-2006

I had a similar but not quite as bad experience as you yesterday. My daugther got out of school at 11 and was supposed to call me when she got home. About 11:15 I started calling.....and calling....and calling.....No answer. So, then I call my dad so he can go down and see why she isn't answering the phone. He calls me and says she's not home (this is about 45 mins after she was to be home) and I say okay, I'm on my way home and he is heading up to the school to find out if the buses or late or what not (my dad rarely panics, so it was kind of creepy to here him all worried). As soon as I hang up the phone my dad calls back and says she just walked in the door. Apparently, her bus driver did not "see" her get on the bus because she was talking to someone else......or whatever.....and so instead of being the first one to be dropped off, she was the last, an hour later. No phone call, nothing. I called the school and threw a fit!!! That should not happen. Not in this day and age, they get away way to quickly as it is. It doesn't help that the people we are trusting are kids to be with......Well I know human error occurs, but to me to lose a kid is unacceptable. And I made sure they knew about it. I never thought about filing a complaint.

Good luck to ya!

08-23-2006	#1 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	What would you do? Today I received a call from the place where my child goes to after school care (this is the place where he has been taking gymnastics for the past 6 months). The lady on the other end of the line said, "Mrs. Louden48, have you talked to the school?" I'm thinking..."great, Christian has gone and gotten himself into trouble and he's only been in kindergarten 3 days!" She added, "David went to the school to pick up Christian and his friends all said he was in line waiting for his daycare bus to pick him up. All we can find is his backpack in the hall. David has left to return the other kids to the gym and is on his way back up there." I immediately rush to the school, calling ahead to make them call the school district police officers and the sheriff. They still can't find him. They look under portables, do over head pages, search the entire school top to bottom and are also calling all of the daycares that pick up kids from Christian's school...no sign of my baby. The Northside PD never do show up but a sheriff's deputy does arrive and I begin the gut wrenching desciption of Christian; what he's wearing, his build, his habits, his friends, etc. ~All the while thinking, this cannot be happening. It's like an episode from "Without a Trace." It's all I can do to not throw up all over the place. I tried my best and made Jeff ("just one more time") back to the house and into the neighborhood calling for him, just to make sure that he didn't decide to just go home on his own...still no trace of him. Now there are about 20 people in the office. The grounds were searched again and again and they were all back to find out what the next step will be. All of the daycares they talked to said they had not seen him. We were devastated and I was afraid my worst nightmares were about to come to fruition as school had been out for an hour and he was still missing. I know that the first few hours are critical when searching for a missing child. Horrible images kept running through my head. All of a suddden I hear a teacher yell from the other end of the school, "We've found him!!!! He's ok!!!!" He's crying and a very hot, sweaty mess. I reached for him and he collapses in my arms, all of us crying. All I can do is hold him and try not to let him go. I was so thankful that my baby was ok. Awash with relief, the counselor for his age group invited him to her office where she debriefed him with one of my friends in the room. Anger quickly set in when Jeff and I started asking questions about what had occurred to make Christian go missing. It seems that he was waiting in the hall with the rest of the children who needed to be picked up from the school to go to daycare. One of his new friends was going to Country Home daycare and was upset..as this was his first week in that particular daycare. He was crying and Christian comforted him. The friend's daycare bus arrived and they (Country Home daycare staff) were calling names (first names only) of the children that were to ride their bus. Apparently they called "Christian...Christian...Christian" several times and being a new kindergartener, he figured they meant him and he need to go with them. Note: Christian was wearing a name tag with his first and last names on it. It also had the name of the daycare bus he was supposed to ride on. When he was getting on the bus he told the girl/lady/whoever it was that he was supposed to be going to Powerhouse (gymnastics). She told him, "Go sit down" and dismissed him. They took off in the bus heading for Country Home Daycare with Christian, leaving the school and all of Christian's belongings behind. Sometime after they got to the daycare, they realized that Christian was not their student (some 30-45 minutes after school was out). Ya know what they did? They took him back on the bus, never bothering to call the school and let them know that he was ok, and returned him to the school. They let him out with the teacher who yelled the announcement that he was found, and LEFT! They didn't even have the guts to come in, face the music, and apologize! I'm incensed! This should NEVER have happened. The school officials did what they were supposed to do, however, the daycare employees did not follow proper transportation guidelines. They left without even doing a headcount or checking Christian's name tag on his shirt. After we left the school...read: removed Jeff so he didn't go to jail for getting into an argument with one of the sheriff deputies (another story)...I filed a complaint with Child Care Licensing through the Tx Dept. of Protective and Regulatory services. We'll see what happens tomorrow! What would you do? __________________ EDR 2006 Ib. Beach-Aug. 2005 *My Finally UpdatedBlog* until we stay at Hacienda San Jose! until we go to Nantucket!

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08-23-2006	#2 (permalink)
jamesblonde No longer an intern Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South of Seattle Posts: 7,647	Right now I'm too stunned to speak.

08-23-2006	#3 (permalink)
jamesblonde No longer an intern Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South of Seattle Posts: 7,647	Thinking about it more. I'm still speechless. I know one thing, someone would have had to hold me back from getting my fingers wrapped around the twit's neck from the daycare. Personally, I would pay a visit to the place. I also probably would have thrown up. I remember my daughter disappearing for about 1 minute in the mall and I thought I was going to die. My heart goes out for all of you. And personally, I would have gladly sent bail money if Jeff had kicked some sheriff arse!!

08-23-2006	#4 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	I'm still pretty angry. I called and talked to his teacher awhile ago who was frantic with worry when she was told of what had happened. She cried with us tonight when we found him. She told me thin evening she lept having to convince herself that if she was too busy throwing up in the bathroom (what she felt like doing, she wouldn't be able to help find Chrstian. I'm fact, I'm not sure I can sleep tonight. I can't let it go!

08-23-2006	#5 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	I was hoping that writing it all down would be cathartic. ...so far, no luck...

08-23-2006	#7 (permalink)
SunKneeMarie character encapsulator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 26,816	Oh, I am crying. I cannot imagine the fear you guys were feeling. That just tears up my heart. And, like you, it makes me angry. When they have all of these safeguards in place and someone just doesn't pay attention. Especially this early in the school year. Just raise hell for awhile and make sure your story is heard. There is nothing that can be "done" about what happened to Christian, but it will make everyone in the childcare cycle that much more vigilant. This will hopefully prevent a repeat occurrence with another child. That's about the only good that can come of this. That and the obvious good thing which was your happy ending. Hug him again and again. And an extra one from me.

08-24-2006	#8 (permalink)
BonnyW añejo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Left Coast...So Cal Posts: 8,893	Wow. You handled yourself well. You probably already have done what I would have done...file a complaint with the licensing board for that childcare place, and file a report with Child Protective Services (CPS). The person that was in charge of the transportation to the childcare place is responsible for making sure that the children in their care are okay. That was not done, and it was knowingly not done. At the very least the childcare place should fire the person responsible for making that decision (to drop him back without calling the school), and give you, Christian's teacher, and the Kindergarten, letters of apology. However, I am so glad that he is safe... and I hope he doesn't have any associated problems.

08-24-2006	#9 (permalink)
Mismo aka Cosmo banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 30	I don't have any children, but have to tell you, I'd be contacting whatever State agency regulates child care, etc. I'm so sorry for your, and your husband's, and your child's experience. Turn your outrage into action to help ensure that no other family goes through this experience. God bless.

08-24-2006	#11 (permalink)
emc life=playa Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Cleveland OH Posts: 933	My mouth is still hanging open. I can't imagine the horror you went through. As Bonnie said, you handled it very well. I would have been in jail for attempted murder.

08-24-2006	#12 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,119	Write a letter to your local newspaper detailing the event and name the daycare.

08-24-2006	#15 (permalink)
Buckly beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Illinois (icky) Posts: 487	I had a similar but not quite as bad experience as you yesterday. My daugther got out of school at 11 and was supposed to call me when she got home. About 11:15 I started calling.....and calling....and calling.....No answer. So, then I call my dad so he can go down and see why she isn't answering the phone. He calls me and says she's not home (this is about 45 mins after she was to be home) and I say okay, I'm on my way home and he is heading up to the school to find out if the buses or late or what not (my dad rarely panics, so it was kind of creepy to here him all worried). As soon as I hang up the phone my dad calls back and says she just walked in the door. Apparently, her bus driver did not "see" her get on the bus because she was talking to someone else......or whatever.....and so instead of being the first one to be dropped off, she was the last, an hour later. No phone call, nothing. I called the school and threw a fit!!! That should not happen. Not in this day and age, they get away way to quickly as it is. It doesn't help that the people we are trusting are kids to be with......Well I know human error occurs, but to me to lose a kid is unacceptable. And I made sure they knew about it. I never thought about filing a complaint. Good luck to ya!

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