The Cold Boy
Posted on February 2nd, 2009 by
This morning I got a reminder of how simple mistakes can have severe consequences. I dropped my kids off at school and on the way home I was shocked to see a boy, age 8, not wearing a coat, not wearing shoes, holding his hands up to stop traffic. Shocked because it was 18 degrees. A lady and I pulled over immediately (other people merely passed him by). The boy seemed dazed, had some scuffs and scratches and seemed scared.
I told the lady “Police Station” and picked the boy up and put him in my car (I only now realize how that must’ve looked), then I jacked the Heat up to 11 and headed back toward my kid’s school. The lady didn’t meet me but the Police were more than happy to take over. And now he’s gone.
All I know is that he was definitely feverish and probably delirious.
He’d been left alone.
He went to my kid’s school.
He was 8, but in 2nd grade.
Here’s what I believe happened based on snippets of sniffly dialogue and pure panic. The boy has a brother or sister and his mom left him home because he was sick. She was coming back, of course, but the boy being sick and young wandered outside instead. Once out there delirium, panic and cold took hold.
Of course, I saw my own kids in this boy.
I hope I’m not wrong, but even if it was a more serious situation (I had visions of one of those kids held in a basement), I’m glad I brought him to the police. I can tell myself he’s okay and that makes me feel warmer. And reminds me how cold I’d feel had I just passed him by.
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm
So leaving an 8-year-old, sick kid alone at home is a “simple mistake”?
I’m pretty sure if I did that my wife would kill me in my sleep
I’m just really, really glad it turned out OK.
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I suppose you’re right. Having been a stay-at-home dad for 8 years though, I also know that good parents sometimes make bad choices and sometimes they do it for good reasons. I mean, when you’ve got a kid who is throwing up and they’re staying home from school – it’s hard to make them get winter gear on, march them to a freezing car in 20 degree weather, and then do it again when they get back home. I found this kid just 2 blocks from school so I assume the mom figured: “I’ll be gone for 5 minutes – it’s better if I just leave him home.”
The fact that the kid got scared indicates to me that she doesn’t do that often. But yeah, all kinds of abuse scenarios popped into my head. I’ll think the best for now, but I’m also glad the cops will do anything else that needs doing.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
You did a good thing GamerDad. +1 Karma for you.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
When Andy came home and told me about it I lost it, probably the pain pills but the thought of a little one out there like that was too much. He is my hero, he swooped in and saved the day. Hope all is well with that little cutie. He has been in our thoughts all day.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Thank you GamerDad for stepping in and doing the right thing at the right time. Also, and just as important… thanks for sharing it. A little inspiration can go a long way.
paul
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
I admit, I was looking for more wayward kids this morning…
Also, it occurred to me that I oughta keep a few GBA and DS games in the glove box. That way I can rescue and pat him on the head, saying: “Cheer up little one. And here’s a game from your GamerDad!” (maybe I can con Nintendo into providing DS’s too?)
And thanks Paul, I’m sure all of the readers here would have done the same thing.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
“I can rescue and pat him on the head, saying: “Cheer up little one. And here’s a game from your GamerDad!” ”
… sounds like an express trip to the sex offender registry!
We picked up a wandering girl (teenager) many years ago and while she practically jumped out before we could get her to the police station we were there within seconds and sent them out after her …
… then recently I saw a toddler playing at the end of a driveway on a busy road. Car after car had just passed, some way too fast. I stopped and brought him to the door … the mother was hysterical after learning he was out …
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
+1 Karma for you to Mr Anderson.
It’s funny ’cause tonight 20/20 did a special on “What would you do” and it was a hidden camera thing and I turned it on during a bit where they had a baby (it was a doll) left alone in a car and filming what people would do, and how they treated the mom when she came out. It reminded me of this story, which I shared with my wife.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
it woulda been alot cooler if you were in a superman suit.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Kudos to you, Andrew. Here’s hoping the boy is safe and well.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I’m a devoted reader to your site, but I don’t comment too often. This time I have to.
What you did was a wonderful thing and also something that should be the *expected* thing. People drive past because they don’t want others to think they’re up to no good. Society has a natural negative view towards human behavior. I don’t often pick up hitchhikers, but when I do everyone I know gets on my case for it. Seems being safe is more important than being neighborly.
I’m glad you ignored your fear of being labeled and chose to do the right thing here. And I’m sure his family is too.