A Grandfather Picks Up Wrong 4-Year-Old Boy And Brings Him Home

[Family Ties Forever!]

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Grandpa Picks Up Wrong Kid From School 4-Year-Old Unharmed

Posted: 8:45 am CST November 8, 2007
Updated: 11:08 am CST November 8, 2007

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.

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.

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© 2007, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

[Chocoholic]

This grandfather sounds like he might be in the early stages of Alzheimers or some other dementia. How can you forget what your own child or grandchild looks like? And why didn't the other boy speak up and say something like "This man is not my grandfather"?

[catlover79]

OOOOOOOOOPS...

[freshprinceofLA]

Brain fart

[Ireneparalegal]

I can't believe that school. The grandfather either has bad eyesight or is beginning to be senile. But, I hold the school responsible.

When my son was in Pre-k, we were required to sign in our kids and sign them out at the door, then one of the teachers would make sure who we were, EACH TIME, then when the child came to the door, the teacher would ask the child, "Who is this person picking you up?" This was done EACH AND EVERY DAY.

[Brieannas21]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I can't believe that school. The grandfather either has bad eyesight or is beginning to be senile. But, I hold the school responsible.

When my son was in Pre-k, we were required to sign in our kids and sign them out at the door, then one of the teachers would make sure who we were, EACH TIME, then when the child came to the door, the teacher would ask the child, "Who is this person picking you up?" This was done EACH AND EVERY DAY.

That's how it is at my daughters school, you have to have ID in order to get past the front desk and then you still have to have to show a school issued ID card in order for her to be signed out of school.

I’m surprised the little boy didn’t say “I don’t know this man” Or “Who are you?”

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

That's how it is at my daughters school, you have to have ID in order to get past the front desk and then you still have to have to show a school issued ID card in order for her to be signed out of school.

I’m surprised the little boy didn’t say “I don’t know this man” Or “Who are you?”

Senility runs on the male side of the family.

[Brieannas21]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Senility runs on the male side of the family.

LOL, I guess so, at 4 there's no way I would have gone anywhere with a stranger. I was too much of a mama's girl

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

LOL, I guess so, at 4 there's no way I would have gone anywhere with a stranger. I was too much of a mama's girl

I would have been kicking and screaming.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

This grandfather sounds like he might be in the early stages of Alzheimers or some other dementia. How can you forget what your own child or grandchild looks like? And why didn't the other boy speak up and say something like "This man is not my grandfather"?

A very good possibilty it could by Alzheimers--no person in their right mind would mistake a grandchild.

[Mikado]

@_@ ~~!!!!! I'm just glad this old man isnt driving a CAR!