grandad picks up wrong kid - from school

lisar wrote: http://www.news4jax.com/education/14539886/detail.html

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Jacksonville man who rode his bike to pick up his grandson from elementary school only to return home and be told he had the wrong kid created an awkward situation for two families Tuesday.

Granddad Gets Wrong 4-Year-Old From School

Four-year-old Long Branch Elementary School student Zacari found himself in the home of a different family and in the middle of an unusual mix-up Tuesday, WJXT-TV in Jacksonville reported.
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After school Tuesday, a grandfather went to Long Branch to pick up his grandson but wound up taking Zacari home by mistake.

"I went to his house," Zacari told Channel 4.

Zacari's mother, Latoia Gillis, said "They don't have the same name. They don't even look alike."

Apparently,to the 77-year-old grandfather, the boy did look like his grandson, and the man put Zacari on his bike and rode home.

"We were riding a bicycle, and he had to pick me up and put me in the middle," Zacari said.

"All the way from Long Branch to Main Street on a bicycle with a man who is 77 years old?" Gillis said, still in shock.

Zacari said that when they got to the man's house, it was the man's wife who realized the mistake.

"She said, 'You got the wrong kid,'" Zacari said.

Back at the school, Zacari's aunt had come to pick him up and was panicked to learn her nephew was already gone.

"I was thinking the worst. I was crying. I was shaking," said Zacari's aunt.

Fortunately, the man who picked up the 4-year-old was on his way back to the school with an unharmed Zacari.

Zacari's family said it wants to make sure another such mix-up never happens again.

"I just want it to be a wake-up call. I'm very lucky to have my son back," Gillis said.

Gillis said that at the beginning of the school year, she filled out a form that included a list of names and contact numbers of the people with whom her son was allowed to go home.

A school district representative said protocol was not followed in Tuesday's mix-up, and that the teachers involved would face disciplinary action.

As a result of Zacaris's ride with a stranger, district policy was immediately changed. Pre-K teachers will be required to check identification before allowing people to collect their youngsters from school.

I am just glad it all turned out okay.

Kaitlin'smom replied: So dose this 4yr old NOT talk? Does he not know his grandparents? I really dont understand how in the cheese it could happen.

Calimama replied:
No kidding. Didn't the child say " Hey stop I don't know you?"... if not why wasn't he taught to say that?

amynicole21 replied: that is insane, and terrifying.

My2Beauties replied: That is absolutely crazy. #1 how does a grandfather not know his own grandson? #2 the school needs to get into serious trouble for this and #3 why did this kid think it was ok to go with a stranger?

luvmykids replied:
All of the above make this so CRAZY!

gr33n3y3z replied:
makes you wonder

BAC'sMom replied: That's crazy Grandpa needs some glasses

A&A'smommy replied: UMMMMMM

jcc64 replied: Well, the kid is 4- his reaction is troubling but not altogether shocking. The grandfather, I don't even know what to say to that...it would be funny if it wasn't so disturbing.

Calimama replied:
Oh yes he does.

Anthony275 replied: either that or he's senile

why don't kids these days TALK?

Insanemomof3 replied: That is CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

kimberley replied:
i agree. glad everything turned out ok.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: Very scary
I think my son would speak and say um no way you're not my grampa.
77 year old grampa should not be out riding a bike or in charge of picking up a child if he "well" enough to notice he got the wrong kid. I know my Nana "acts" pretty old somedays and I could not leave her responsible for my child.