6-year-old takes family car after missing bus

[Linda7NJ]

He made at least two 90-degree turns, passed several cars and ran off the rural two-lane road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.
The boy told police he learned to drive playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck Jam video games.
"He was very intent on getting to school," said Northumberland County Sheriff Chuck Wilkins. "When he got out of the car, he started walking to school. He did not want to miss breakfast and PE."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ODD_BOY_DRIVER?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

Sounds like another "Mother of the Year":furious:

[MeoW333]

Very lucky he didn't get into a serious accident. Learning to drive from games rated M for Mature. The parents should be looked at. Game stores id people when buying games, they aren't allowed to sell to children. They can sell rated m games to parents or those over 17 i think it is.

[txsvicki]

I wonder if the boy was home alone. If someone were there, it seems like he'd be waiting for them to take him on in to school. Grand Theft Auto is a horrible game and I don't think I'd even let a 17 year old play the thing in my home.

[Soulmagent]

This link states she was sleeping. Sad to think this little boy gets himself up for school alone every day.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/Web/2009/012009/0106odd

[MissieMt]

Oh wow...how on earth can people sleep through their kids getting ready for school?! It makes me so sad to picture this little guy waking up and having to start his day alone. I'm glad that he is okay, and happy his parents were charged.

[Mr. E]

I can't imagine sleeping while your six year old gets himself ready for school! My mother used to work a shift that got her off work very early in the morning. She would always see us off to school before going to bed, even when we were teens.

And a six year old playing Grand Theft Auto??? I know this is probably more common than we'd like to think, but it still shocks me.

This type of non-parenting is just as bad as abusive parenting, in some ways. I've seen kids who have practically raised themselves because their parents are too busy or too uninterested or too stoned/drunk. These kids usually get into all sorts of trouble in high school because nobody is around to care enough to stop them.

[Kat]

Any updates? Are the parents being investigated for non-supervision?

OT: They must have good breakfast:) My kids hate food at school, bless his heart he probably looks forward to breakfast and lunch at school?

[lizzybeth]

I think if the choices are school breakfast or no breakfast then the school breakfast sounds really good. I wonder if his mother works nights, leaves him there to play video games and take care of himself. It could explain why she's sleeping while he gets ready for school and catches the bus. Not that it's okay.

I heard this morning that he had been placed in foster care while they investigate. I hope he was placed with a loving family.

[STEADFAST]

"The boy's parents were arrested and charged with felony child endangerment. Wilkins said the father, David E. Dodson, 40, was under a court order not to leave the 6-year-old and his 4-year-old brother alone with their mother, Jacqulyn D. Waltman, 26, at their home in the town of Wicomico Church."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/06/AR2009010601195.html?hpid=topnews

[Kat]

"The boy's parents were arrested and charged with felony child endangerment. Wilkins said the father, David E. Dodson, 40, was under a court order not to leave the 6-year-old and his 4-year-old brother alone with their mother, Jacqulyn D. Waltman, 26, at their home in the town of Wicomico Church."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/06/AR2009010601195.html?hpid=topnews

I am curious as to why there would be a court order not to leave these children with their mother. However, I'm so happy this child is well and hopefully he and his brother will get good care where they are now. Thanks steadfast for the update.

[Lyn1001]

I think if the choices are school breakfast or no breakfast then the school breakfast sounds really good. I wonder if his mother works nights, leaves him there to play video games and take care of himself. It could explain why she's sleeping while he gets ready for school and catches the bus. Not that it's okay.

I heard this morning that he had been placed in foster care while they investigate. I hope he was placed with a loving family.

Sadly, there are plenty of parents who work days, or don't work at all, that sleep in and let their young children fend for themselves in the mornings and provide little to no supervision.

[miss u daddy]

So sad. I think anytime with my 6 year old, including getting him ready for school is quality time for us. I can't imagine a six year old having to get himself ready for school and be on his own. To look forward to school breakfast? My son loves when I make him a breakfast. This is really sad.

[MeoW333]

I think it's very telling that a 6 year old actually got himself up and wanted to get to school so badly he stole the family car. A lot of children like to sleep in and have to be woken up to get ready. This little fellow was very determined to get to school and a breakfast. It says a lot about his home life. I hope the officers got him something good to eat before getting him to school. It's so sad..

[Bee Happy]

A child that age shouldn't be left alone to get the bus. Wow