He really wanted to go to school!!

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » January 6th, 2009, 1:38 pm

6-Year-Old Drives Family Car to School

WICOMICO CHURCH, Va. (Jan. 6) - A 6-year-old Virginia boy who missed his bus tried to drive to school in his family's sedan -- and crashed.

His parents were charged with child endangerment. State police said the boy suffered only minor injuries and authorities drove him to school after he was evaluated at a local hospital for a bump on his head. He arrived shortly after lunch, Sgt. Tom Cunningham said.

It happened around 7:40 a.m. Monday on Route 360, about 61 miles east of Richmond.

The boy, whose name wasn't released, missed the bus, took the keys to his family's 2005 Ford Taurus and drove nearly six miles toward school while his mother was asleep, police said.

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."

His parents, Jacqulyn Deana Waltman, 26, and David Eugene Dodson, 40, are each charged with child endangerment, Wilkins said. Waltman is being held without bond. Dodson was released on a $5,000 bond.

It was not clear if they had attorneys.

The boy and his 4-year-old brother were placed in protective custody.
"This really is a story of miracles," Wilkins said. "The Lord was with him, along with everybody else on the highway."

Susie Hamilton · Postby **Susie Hamilton** » January 6th, 2009, 2:58 pm

I was NEVER that desperate to go to school. :shock:

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » January 6th, 2009, 4:56 pm

Rahab wrote:I was NEVER that desperate to go to school.

Me either! I did what I could to stay home! :lol:

teach · Postby **teach** » January 6th, 2009, 5:14 pm

me too!!!!

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » January 6th, 2009, 6:16 pm

Whoever owns the copyright wrote:His parents, Jacqulyn Deana Waltman, 26, and David Eugene Dodson, 40

I'm kind of liking that fourteen-year spread.

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » January 6th, 2009, 7:03 pm

Tim Elston wrote:"Whoever owns the copyright"

Gee Tim, I'll be sure not to quote anything again without going through the proper channels or clear it through you first! :roll:

oletimer · Postby **oletimer** » January 6th, 2009, 7:14 pm

YellowRose
Subject: Re: He really wanted to go to school!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Elston wrote:
"Whoever owns the copyright"

Gee Tim, I'll be sure not to quote anything again without going through the proper channels or clear it through you first!

Tim: I bet you get on your own nerves. :urock:

Tim Elston · Postby **Tim Elston** » January 6th, 2009, 8:13 pm

oletimer wrote: Tim: I bet you get on your own nerves.

My neurosis is on the high side. That's why I made a pretty good COGOP member. But I can't say I tried to drive myself to school at age six to avoid an absense. :lol:

oletime wrote::urock:

Thanks. You and your wife are cool. (That doesn't mean you can't get after me when I deserve it, though.)

nobodyyouknow · Postby **nobodyyouknow** » January 7th, 2009, 4:28 am

I assume from the report that this six year old child gets himself up and dressed and onto the bus by himself since his mother was asleep and did not know anything was happening. You have to also wonder why he did not wake his mother up to take him to school since he missed the bus. I hope the authorities check this out well. He sounds like he was neglected for sure. Of course, they must have supplied him with video games because he said that is how he learned to drive. How sad!!

Jude 2