According to a Houston mother, her two children were walking to the bathroom a few blocks away from school when they were discovered by a stranger.
Ryen Harris told ABC13 that’s what happened to her daughter and another student at McGregor Elementary School in Houston’s Museum District.
“I’m very sad. I’m very emotional and I’m very hurt because this is my child,” Harris said.
The Houston Independent School District said an employee was placed on administrative leave as a result.
Harris said her daughter’s school called her multiple times last Wednesday to speak with the principal but told her it was not an emergency.
“She very calmly said, ‘Hi. Aaliyah is missing from our school. She was found on the corner of Blodgett and LeBlanche.’ I immediately went crazy,” Harris said. “They didn’t know how she got out. She was supposed to go to the bathroom.”
According to Harris, the principal said a security guard was patrolling the school at the time and the front desk staff briefly left. Harris said she also saw surveillance video of two students leaving.
“There was no one in the office,” Harris said. “There was no defense in front. The two of them pushed open the door with all their strength and walked straight out.”
Harris said they crossed two streets and someone nearby called police.
She said walking is not easy for her daughter.
“My daughter has a disability, so walking for long periods of time hurts her hips,” Harris said. “She has hip flexors.”
Houston police told ABC13 a stranger spotted the toddlers walking alone on the street and called them. HPD said they were not injured, returned to school and have contacted CPS.
Harris said the day it happened, her daughter told her they were going to the park.
“A lot of things can happen,” Harris said. “So, I was very emotional because I think seeing this video really broke me.”
ABC13 asked HISD several questions about the situation, including the changes that will result.
The district said in a statement that the employee responsible for supervising students has been placed on administrative leave.
“Campus administrators have also made staffing changes to reiterate and reinforce established campus procedures to ensure students are properly supervised at all times and are following campus monitoring protocols at all times to prevent any future incidents,” HISD said.
But those changes were ultimately not enough for Harris. She said she was now canceling her daughter’s enrollment.
“It may be possible to find a safer area,” Harris said. “A place where I feel comfortable.”
CPS confirmed to ABC13 they received reports of the situation.
“Once the investigation is complete, DFPS will share our findings with parents, school officials and the district,” said DFPS spokesperson Melissa Lanford.
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