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Mom “Completely Heartbroken” After Her 3-Year-Old Walked Home From School Unsupervised
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Mom “Completely Heartbroken” After Her 3-Year-Old Walked Home From School Unsupervised

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A three-year-old boy wandered away from his preschool at Tukwila Elementary School, Washington, USA. The pupil’s teacher reportedly lost track of him, prompting the little boy to walk more than 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) away from his school. His mother is now demanding answers.

Little Giovanni, who goes to a preschool program at Tukwila Elementary School, wandered off campus after his teacher lost him, KIRO via CNN Newsource reported on Thursday (October 24).

Highlights
  • 3-year-old Giovanni wandered 100 yards from school unsupervised.
  • Mom Ana Maldonado demands answers after son's solo escape.
  • Incident revealed broken school alarm and overwhelmed teacher.

Left to his own devices, Giovanni managed to walk all the way home. His mom, Ana Maldonado, is now reportedly cherishing the reunion with her son.

She recalled: “Horrible because if he wouldn’t have come home, I wouldn’t even know that he was in the streets.”

A three-year-old boy wandered away from his preschool at Tukwila Elementary School, Washington, USA

Image credits: Homes.com

Ana reportedly said that the incident happened less than two weeks ago. Giovanni showed up at her front door in the middle of the day, after walking more than 100 yards away from his school.

She recounted the events: “I was like, ‘How are you home, why are you here? School isn’t over for another 30 minutes’.”

Ana reportedly then called the school district, stating: “I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do or say.”

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Image credits: KIRO7

The distressed mother then learned that her son’s preschool teacher hadn’t searched for him after he wandered outside due to class size limitations, and that the school’s alarm system, which was intended to prevent children from leaving, was broken.

“Oh, I was broken, when she said that,” Ana said. “I was like, you would seriously not chase after a three-year-old?”

Ana admitted being “completely heartbroken” over the incident. She further expressed how disappointed she was not to be able to trust that Giovanni, who attends a bilingual class with two teachers for 18 students, would be watched over properly.

The pupil’s teacher reportedly lost track of him

Image credits: KIRO7

“I’m going to work, I expect them to stay in a safe spot, but yet your protocols and your gated system was not working,” Ana said.

The district reportedly said it conducted an investigation and an internal review following the incident, and that it’s always working to ensure student safety.

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Image credits: KIRO7

From 2021–22, a majority of US public schools reported adopting key safety measures, primarily focused on controlling building access and enhancing communication, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). 

Over 90% of schools in the US used measures such as restricted building access during school hours, required visitor check-ins, and security cameras. 

The little boy walked more than 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) away from his school

Image credits: KIRO7

Less commonly, fewer than 10% of schools used measures targeting student conduct, such as daily metal detector screenings or clear bag requirements. 

Compared to 2009–10, NCES data revealed a notable increase in the use of security cameras (from 61% to 93%) and anonymous threat reporting systems (36% to 62%), while measures like strict dress codes and limits on nonacademic cell phone use saw decreased implementation.

Bored Panda has contacted Tukwila Elementary School for comment.

“There should never be a way for a child to wander off,” a reader commented

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Andréa Oldereide

Andréa Oldereide

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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Andréa Oldereide

Andréa Oldereide

Writer, BoredPanda staff

I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

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As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

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Karina Babenok

Karina Babenok

Author, BoredPanda staff

As a visual editor in the News team, I look for the most interesting pictures and comments to make each post interesting and informative through images, so that you aren't reading only blocks of text. I joined Bored Panda not that long ago, but in this short amount of time I have covered a wide range of topics: from true crime to Taylor Swift memes (my search history is very questionable because of that).In my freetime, I enjoy spending time at the gym, gaming, binging Great British Bake Off and adding yet another tattoo artist that I would love to get a tattoo from to my pinterest board.

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Breadcrumb.
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This shouldn't have happened, a broken gate and busy teachers. But let's not blow it up, kid is safe and has learned a valuable lesson. How to bust out of jail! J/k..he'll never skip school again.

Cronecast AtTheRisingMoon
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, this is nightmare fuel. Holy crow, it's just a really good thing that they live so close to the school so he didn't get lost. She needs to contact CPS and have the daycare investigated. This is just horrifying.

Hmmm hmmmm
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids can run a long way , 91 metres could probably be done by the kid in under a minute and children are amazing climbers. Yes , the child should have been better supervised but that is the school's fault for staffing badly

Load More Replies...
Kerry Fletcher
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go next door say hey other teach. Watxh my kids so and so wandered

Load More Comments
Breadcrumb.
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This shouldn't have happened, a broken gate and busy teachers. But let's not blow it up, kid is safe and has learned a valuable lesson. How to bust out of jail! J/k..he'll never skip school again.

Cronecast AtTheRisingMoon
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, this is nightmare fuel. Holy crow, it's just a really good thing that they live so close to the school so he didn't get lost. She needs to contact CPS and have the daycare investigated. This is just horrifying.

Hmmm hmmmm
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids can run a long way , 91 metres could probably be done by the kid in under a minute and children are amazing climbers. Yes , the child should have been better supervised but that is the school's fault for staffing badly

Load More Replies...
Kerry Fletcher
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go next door say hey other teach. Watxh my kids so and so wandered

Load More Comments
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