Two Pre-K Students Wander Away From Guthrie School - School Making Changes

After two preschoolers walk away from school, the district promises to make changes.

Thursday afternoon, two Pre-K students wandered away from their after-school program at Cotteral Elementary. The girls were found unharmed around 30 minutes later, a few blocks away. But now some parents want to know what the school is doing to prevent something like this from happening again.

Marisa Mendelson, Fox 25 News: Why did you and your friend wander off?
Little girl: I don't know.

This five-year-old girl walked away from her classroom at Cotteral Elementary Thursday afternoon with another Pre-K student.

"Shortly after the search began at the school, we received a phone call where the children were located," said Dr. Mike Simpson, Superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools.

Around 30 minutes after going missing, the girl's parents say she and her friend were found at the friend's former babysitter's house, around five blocks away.

Marisa Mendelson, Fox 25 News: Were you scared?
Little girl: Yes.

And so are some parents.

"Pretty upsetting," said Denise Mitchell.

Denise Mitchell's daughter goes to the school.

"There's quite a few things that I'm upset about with this school," said Mitchell.

Mitchell thinks the school needs to do more to prevent children from wandering off.

"Maybe more police or more teachers, or police or more security is what I feel like they need," said Mitchell.

"I have a three-year-old daughter myself, so I understand the concern when you have a child that is that age and making sure that they're supervised," said Dr. Simpson. 

Simpson says the incident is under investigation.

"And we'll take appropriate action, whatever it is to make sure this doesn't happen in the future," said Dr. Simpson.

But Mitchell is not sure more precautions will prevent a child from walking off.

"I would hope so but you never know with small children," said Mitchell. "If they have a second that they're not being watched, that they'll go over wherever they want."

The parents of one of the girls who wandered off did not want to talk on camera, but they did tell Fox 25 that they are fortunate their daughter was found safe.They said the school acted appropriately to find their daughter and that the school is taking steps to add additional security measures.


Two Pre-K Students Wander Away From Guthrie School - School Making Changes

Posted: Friday, February 8 2013, 09:33 PM CST