UPDATE: Couple Arrested After 6-Year-Old Tries To Drive To School
UPDATE: Couple Arrested After 6-Year-Old Tries To Drive To School Save Email Print
Posted: 9:27 AM Jan 11, 2009
 Last Updated: 9:27 AM Jan 11, 2009
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A Virginia couple has been arraigned after their 6-year-old son crashed the family car while trying to drive himself to school.

The two are facing one count each of felony child endangerment.

The Commonwealth's Attorney said the parents have a "number of problems" that keep them from being able to care for their children.

Police say the boy drove a Ford Taurus about six miles Monday after missing the school bus. They say he weaved in and out of traffic and crossed a river bridge before crashing into a utility pole. He wasn't seriously injured.

Authorities say the boy also took the family car for a drive last year.

The boy's mother remains jailed. The father has been released on bond. The boy and his 4-year-old brother are in protective custody.


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A 6-year-old Virginia boy who missed his bus tried to drive to school in his family's sedan and crashed.

State police say the boy suffered only minor injuries and authorities drove him to school after he was evaluated at a local hospital.

Sgt. Tom Cunningham says the boy arrived shortly after lunch. It happened around 7:40 a.m. Monday on Route 360, about 61 miles east of Richmond.

Police say the boy, who wasn't identified, missed the bus, took the keys to his family's 2005 Ford Taurus and drove 10 miles toward school while his mother was asleep.

He ran off the road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.

Police say he wasn't wearing a safety belt.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: digusted with hypocrites on Jan 15, 2009 at 06:43 PM
All this "I can't believe such bad parenting actually goes on; and someone has to be accountable" crap. People we are the ones responsible for the way children are being raised. We have let the family structure go to hell in a handbasket. Then we sit back and pontificate and offer up crap. How many parents are neglecting their children right now by sitting at the computer playing games or chatting up with other people. How many parents really do sit down and take the time to help their child with that difficult homework. How many parents are offering up loving relationships as an example of what a good marriage looks like. We have babies making babies because the family role-models (loving parents) are becoming more extinct by the minute. Really how many husbands and wives are loving and working together in marriages today? There are so many broken homes today this happening should not surprise any of us. Straighten out your own homes first before casting stones.
Posted by: ME Location: Wilson on Jan 13, 2009 at 12:47 PM
A classic case of bad parenting and people who should't and don't deserve to have children
Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Jan 12, 2009 at 05:42 PM
WOLFGANG...xoxoxo...for missing me but I kind of like the new boring mundane WITN. WITN didn't play fair when they continually let me be attacked and then wouldn't post one of my 9 responses. Even though I am the number one female on this site...I also take the title as second and third... since no female can compare to me. But there is hope.... Stephanie from Greenville....< I love her post. Now to say something about this topic so it wont look like it's all about me lol.... as some have suggested... where was daddy? It is always so convenient to blame mom. She didn't make this child on her own and he shouldn't be her responsibility alone. But Cactus said it best..... now back to your boring WITN!
Posted by: Just me Location: plymouth on Jan 12, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I agree with Caring Parent. I used to walk to my grandmother's house all the time after school and during the week end. But then again times aren't like they were then. You can't trust your child alone because you can't trust other people. You have to watch and make sure they get on that bus. If the parents have a "number of problems" where they can't raise and protect their children then they need to be with someone else - before it is too late.
Posted by: T Location: Washington on Jan 12, 2009 at 03:34 PM
What are the problems they are having that keep them from getting the child off to school. The four year old will be driving next.
Posted by: J Location: Gville on Jan 12, 2009 at 08:48 AM
This is the SECOND time. I wonder what the 4 yr old will do next. Was that dad at work already?
Posted by: Mary Location: NC on Jan 12, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Sounds like the parents left him alone at home and more than most. If the child services found more reasons to show neglect they also must have found something else at the home that was harmful. Driving to school for a child is wrong, but I highly doubt that is the only reason the kids were taken out of the home. Look how many children steal thier parents car and drive away. They get to come back home, thier is more to it than this.
Posted by: a mom and teacher on Jan 12, 2009 at 06:16 AM
i interpret this as a child that loves school, and things must be pretty bad at home. I have had a student that should have been taken away from home...there was abuse, etc. he loved school that if he missed the bus, or just went outside when it was light, he would walk...and it was 4 miles. some parents picked him up, as well as teachers on the way to school. we were able to get him taken out of the home, and cared for with a foster family. what children have to live with...they don't ask for it. I do believe that angels have a hand in looking out for them.
Posted by: TK Location: Illinois on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I'd like to give props to the 6 year old for being proactive and determined to get to school! I am just glad that no one was severely injured in this incident and hope for a bright future for these children.
Posted by: Boy Friday Location: Somewhere in NC on Jan 11, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I'm not sure what this article is "driving at." The young man seems to be a real "self-starter" and should be praised for his attempts to get to school. I wish more kids were "on the road to success" like this young scholar. Few young people have such a clear "road map" in their educational pursuits. I agree that a train or bus may have been safer, but at least he cared enuf to try. The parents need to be bull whipped, and then placed in stocks for a few days.
Posted by: Rob Location: Verrado on Jan 11, 2009 at 07:02 PM
now that is what i call a futer pro at nascar or baja racing
Posted by: Buzz Location: Mbx on Jan 11, 2009 at 04:12 PM
why are some of you folks gettin upset about the posts here beatin up on the parents. There's alot of parents that give up everything and go past the edge to make sure their kids have and are able to do all the things that need to be done, sports, dance classes, etc. This mom wasn't there for her child, and it upsets us that are. she was sleeping. and Yes we do have compasion for the lady, (even though it wsn't brought out in the posts). She needs help, and guess you'll take that the wrong way, also. I hope there are some family members or good friends that can come her aid. I hope everything works out for her children, because there are obviously alot of issues that arent in this article. Buzz-
Posted by: leona Location: canada on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:51 PM
the whole of the USA is on ambien. I was nearly killed last year near new york when someone on ambien came to me on the wrong side of the road. The guy was totally stoned on ambien, and said he didn't know what was happening, he just wanted to sleep. What kind of nation are you building down there? That stuff thankfully is not available in Canada, we like our people sober here.
Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY,NC on Jan 11, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Thank you WITN for the update. I hope our comments we all wrote he did some good. To get the Police aware someone has to accountable here. That a 6 year old does not have to drive himself to school.
Posted by: Sam Location: NC on Jan 9, 2009 at 06:57 AM
Maybe the kid should go live with his Father.
Posted by: OK Location: NC on Jan 9, 2009 at 01:20 AM
Why do dad's always get off the hook? Where was he?
Posted by: Alison Location: Havelock on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:20 PM
This could have had a tragic ending. This mother needs to realize that God was looking out for her little boy who should have been supervised. I would never let my children go to the bus stop alone..not even my 12 year old. There are sick people in this world. It is our responsibility as parents to make sure that our children are protected until they reach adult age.
Posted by: tracey Location: greenville on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:40 PM
poor fella, i guess he really wanted to get to school really bad, i hope he keeps his enthusiam the rest of his school years ahead...
Posted by: Robin Location: Belhaven on Jan 8, 2009 at 02:34 PM
The next headline on this story needs to be Mother Arrested for Child Endangerment... There is no way a six year old should be left alone to get on a bus.. Children need watched getting on the bus and getting off the bus... You should never take your eyes off of your children in public.. She needs prosecuted.
Posted by: bigfruitbasket Location: NC on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:12 AM
The kid didn't want to lose out on perfect attendance--that's a big deal to a 6 year old. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands.
Posted by: Sandra Location: Rose Hill on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:50 AM
The original story I heard on the news was that the mother was in another room getting the shoes for another child and the little boy sneaked the car keys cause he had missed the bus. I didn't hear that the mother was asleep.
Posted by: OMG! Location: Reality, NC on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:50 AM
Amazing to me how people can just sleep their lives away, especially when they should be up getting their kids ready for school. I know 2 people that are in their early 20s, all they do is sleep and wonder why everything just passes them by. What is wrong with people in this world today? Does anyone realize the responsibilities that come with having a child anymore? Some of us will never have that blessing... others seem to take that blessing for granted. My Mom started working at the school I went to when I was 6, I still rode the bus. Why? It was a good experience to be around other kids. If I had children today, I don't know if it would be a good experience for them to be around other kids, or adults in this world we live in now. Kudos to the kid for at least wanting to get to school. Evidently his mother didn't care one way or the other.
Posted by: Dunlopped Location: Washington on Jan 7, 2009 at 11:46 PM
can anybody say Department of Social Services, C'mon ma!
Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:15 PM
After seeing the posting from all these great parents I begin to wonder why we have so many kids in trouble.
Posted by: To anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Lots of stay at home moms with working cars have kids that ride the bus. What difference does it make if mom takes them to school everyday? My mom was a stay at home mom with a working car and I rode the bus. She made sure I had a good hot breakfast and then sat with me on the front porch (weather permitting) or either played games with me until the bus came. The last thing I saw as the bus drove away was her waving to me. I could hardly wait to get home in the afternoon, because I knew that we would fix cookies together or some other fun activity. I agree that this mom shouldn't have been asleep, but then we don't know all the details. Maybe mom worked nights and didn't get home until 5 am or so and it was dad's job to make sure he got on the bus. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.
Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY,NC on Jan 7, 2009 at 07:35 PM
This is insane, Again his mother was asleep never got up to dress the kid or make breakfast, or make sure he got safely on the bus. My own Mother did that for me everyday when I was young. What is wrong with this Mother. " Go to bed early get your rest Mom ". I am so glad no one got hurt. This could have ended very bad. I wonder if the kid makes his own dinner & washes his own clothes? To ALPHA female come on get back in to the talk show. Last week you only accused me of drinking becaues I miss spelled a word. Not as bad you accused others. I like when you said Lt. Remington must be on medication for his comment. Anyway I hope you come back in?
Posted by: just Location: my opinion on Jan 7, 2009 at 06:36 PM
too funny... i am so glad he was not harmed by the accident.. my kids wouldnt dare take the care to go to school - they hate it and try to stay home.. at least there is one little guy in the world who wants to learn!!
Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:52 PM
In 1971 there wasn't a new child abduction by some freak every other day either. It was a rare occurrence back then. THAT IS THE REASON I WATCH MY KIDS UNTIL THEY ARE ACTUALLY ON THE BUS EACH MORNING. I don't go to the bus stop with them, I can see it and them. I can't imagine not knowing until 8 hours later that they never got on the bus to begin with because some freak had gotten them, and I was too lazy to get up and make sure they were safely on the bus. When I was a kid, I disappeared for hours and no one even knew where I was. I showed up for supper. I would love to be able to do that now. It isn't realistic in today's world. Murderous pedophiles walk amongst us daily. Some have yet to be caught. If there weren't so many of these freaks in our society, things would be different. Liberal laws and Liberal judges who do little to punish these people have only emboldened more of them to commit their sick little fantasies.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Question: if mom is at home (sleeping) with a working car why is her son riding the bus?
Posted by: ? on Jan 7, 2009 at 04:29 PM
To "Can't believe this nonsense" In 1971 you could do a lot of things that you can not now. Now, people are crazy and you have to watch your children and keep a good eye on them and they will be gone. At least an "protective" parent would know beforehand if her child was going to drive to school and stop this action before it happen. I agree that children need independence but they also need guidance and directon from responsible adults...
Posted by: stupid mod on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Too bad my comment didnt get posted. Once again, the truth won tbe heard.
Posted by: Hey Y'all Location: down home on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I have a neighbor who did the same with her daughter. Got her up for school and went back to bed, never knew if she caught the bus or not. The girl would not have taken her mother's car because she knew she'd get "beaten half to death" for doing it. I worried every day that she would be OK. This mother doesn't think she has been anything but a perfect mother!
Posted by: Susan Location: Michigan on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:32 PM
I am torn about this one. Amazing kid, poor guy...glad he wasn't hurt. I have kids this age - would get up and supervise at age 6. Not judging, just my humble opinion. And I love the comment that this will end up a lawsuit against Ambien, but wondered, by whom, the mom for oversleeping or the kid, for sleep- driving??
Posted by: BFG mom Location: duplin co on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Why was mom asleep while this 6 year old was awaiting the school bus anyway? She should have been awaiting the bus with him. Bad Bad Bad parents these days make all of us look bad...
Posted by: voter Location: nc on Jan 7, 2009 at 02:07 PM
country folk tend to be self reliant. don't know if this is the case or not, but it's normal for farm youngsters to drive/maintain tractors and equipment. it's part of the lifestyle. the intent was to get to school without bothering his mom. before condemming anyone, read the other headlines about kids and determine who you rather have living next door.
Posted by: Caring parent Location: G'ville on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:10 PM
To Can't Believe, I agree that we shouldn't just jump to conclusions about this mother, however, things are all too different today than they were when we were younger. I too use to be able to ride my bike to school but now, unfortunately there are entirely too many sick-o's out there that will take full advantage of a child left on his own accord. I'm glad the child was not hurt but parents do need to be more cautious about just leaving their kids on their own, even if it is in their own driveways.
Posted by: Can't Believe This Nonsense Location: NC on Jan 7, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Such ridiculous "stone-throwing" comments from all of you self-righteous "responsible parents"! When I was a first grader (in 1971), I walked to school every day ... about 1/2 mile from my house, unless the weather was VERY BAD. During my growing-up years, I always walked to meet the bus, even in the winter when it was dark before first light, and getting dark by the time I got home. You critics who think you have to watch your child's every move are the one's responsible for such irresponsible children. The reason they don't learn to act responsibly is because they're babied and coddled and over-protected so much. These children grow up to be soft and incapable of self-control because they've been smothered their whole lives. Kids aren't what they used to be, but it's not their fault ... it's the fault of parents who spoil them rotten and don't teach them to behave themselves. It makes me sick. It's gonna be the ruin of this great country. Kids should be tough and responsible!
Posted by: smith Location: pitt on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Im glad you people know the whole story of how it happened. do any of you know the mother or the 6 year old? Im glad you guys can throw the first stone.
Posted by: LTJ Location: Greenville on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Wow. Impressive -- he made it 10 miles? The 6 year olds I know wouldn't even know the directions to get to school, let alone think to go ahead and drive themselves - and he made it 10 miles before crashing! I am all for letting your child become independent and learn to do things in their own, but seriously mom, wake up and help your first grader get to school in the morning. Really.
Posted by: neglect or what.. on Jan 6, 2009 at 10:05 PM
why wasn't mom around to make sure he got on the bus....at that age, she needs to be in trouble for neglect...sleeping, and not teaching her son right from wrong. He probably pays driving games, and thought it would be the same. glad no one was killed.
Posted by: anonymous Location: New Bern on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:28 PM
ME good point. Did the 6 year old wake up and get ready for school all on his own? Does she normally just let the child wait for the bus without supervision? I can't imagine not knowing whether or not my child got on the bus, was hit on the curb, or abducted by a predator. My prediction is this will end with the mother trying to sue Ambian.
Posted by: Ms. E on Jan 6, 2009 at 05:35 PM
I agree with ? why won't the mother up to see her child off to school. I have a 12 year old that I see off to school. She's almost a teenager and can see herself off. If that child was kidnapped, she would never be able tell police what he was wearing. This is what we call neglect. He's needs a good butt behind. He mother don't need any children. I wonder how many times has he done something wrong and she didn't know it cause she was asleep. Luckly, he didn't kill himself or anyone else or do the mother would have more problems than this.
Posted by: whatever Location: wherever on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:56 PM
did they give him a ticket for not wearing his seatbelt? cause if it was anyone else they would have.
Posted by: Punishment Location: poor child on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:49 PM
His tail end would be suffering some minor injuries too. My hand print. But then again if I was a sorry mother who was still asleep and not watching to make sure her child got on the bus....I guess it wouldnt matter.
Posted by: VBush Location: MHCY on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:45 PM
The mother is negligent, like so many of our modern day 'so called' parents. Is there really anything else to say?
Posted by: Me Location: NC on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:45 PM
So...Mom just sent him out the door and jumped back in bed???
Posted by: ? on Jan 6, 2009 at 04:30 PM
And why was the mother asleep? So much for making sure your child gets to school safely.
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