4-Year-Old Black Boy From Atlanta With Special Needs Walked Out of School, Missing For Hours

Nationwide — Mercedes Dill, an African American mother from DeKalb County, Georgia, is seeking answers after her four-year-old son, Micah, walked out of Rockbridge Elementary School unnoticed. This incident occurred on August 29, and has raised significant concerns about the school’s safety protocols, particularly since Micah is in pre-kindergarten.

Dill explained to WSB-TV that her son left the school’s cafeteria and managed to exit the premises without any staff realizing. “He just walked out of the school, crossed the parking lot, and entered the neighborhood,” Dill said. The situation became even more alarming as Micah, who is autistic, was seen on a stranger’s Ring security camera going door to door, attempting to find his way home.

Given Micah’s autism, Dill noted that her son would not have been able to explain his actions, making the ordeal even more frightening. Fortunately, a good Samaritan discovered Micah and promptly contacted the police, ensuring his safety.

In response to the situation, DeKalb County Schools issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to the safety of their students. The school reported that despite the staff’s efforts to keep track of students, Micah managed to leave the cafeteria during lunch. Once they realized he was missing, the school activated emergency protocols and coordinated with local law enforcement agencies to locate him.

Fortunately, Micah was found unharmed and reunited with his family. Two school employees have been placed on administrative leave while the school district conducts a thorough investigation into how this breach of safety occurred. The district remains in communication with Micah’s family during this investigation.

Despite the frightening experience, Dill expressed that she is not angry with the teachers, acknowledging that Micah has great teachers, but hopes for more measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.