Boy, 6, goes home alone (From News Shopper)

Boy, 6, goes home alone

9:14am Wednesday 23rd January 2008 in

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A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy walked out of school unnoticed and travelled more than a mile on his own to get home.

Dylan Lueshing got past the gates during his break time at Alexandra Infant School, Kent House Road, Beckenham, at 11am last Thursday (January 17).

He then walked to Penge High Street and boarded a bus back to his home in Robenia Close, Anerley - more than a mile away.

Dylan then knocked on the door to get in, much to the surprise of his aunt Sherise Blackman.

Now his mother, psychology student Seanne Lueshing, is refusing to send Dylan back to the school and is furious he was allowed to walk out of the gates.

The 25-year-old single mum said: "I am mortified. I don't feel safe. I'm so scared about what could have happened to my son. He could have been kidnapped.

"If the children can get out that easily, then who can get in?

"Anything could have happened to him. It is a busy high street."

She added: "They sent me a letter, taking no liability for it, as they believe the gate can't be opened by children, but he didn't walk through it.

"They are trying to put the blame on a six-year-old.

"He was actually very sensible for coming straight home."

Dylan, who shares time between living with his grandmother, Lorna Lueshing, in Anerley and his mum in Tooting, had to cross Penge High Street to catch the 358 bus, which he and his mother use regularly.

He arrived at home at 11.25am.

Miss Lueshing says Dylan was allowed onto the bus as he stood next to a woman to make it look as though he was travelling with somebody.

The school did not notice his absence until a man told supervisors he had seen a pupil in Alexandra uniform walking in Penge.

After the incident, the school claimed Dylan had been engaging in anti-social behaviour, and in a letter to his family, said he was prone to "over-reacting to situations" and sometimes became "withdrawn".

The day after the incident, on the prompting of the school, Dylan's grandmother had a visit from social services officers, asking if she was aware of him having any emotional problems.

Miss Lueshing said: "They have never brought up any anti-social behaviour issues before, and if they had all these issues, then why wasn't he being watched more closely?

"It is really important other parents are made aware of this. I can't send my son back to that school.

"Nobody got in touch with us. They said they were trying to call, but I had no messages on my phone, and my sister got through to me straight away."

A school spokesman said: "We are investigating this incident fully, including the reasons why the child left the school, as well as undertaking a thorough review of all our security procedures."

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