Video shows neighbors help autistic boy found wandering in Sunrise neighborhood

Video shows the moments people in a Sunrise neighborhood tried to help a young autistic boy who they found wandering alone in the street.

His grandparents told NBC6 on Monday that they thought he was at school.

Racquel said she was home last week when one of her neighbors knocked on her door and told her he found a young boy who looked lost.

“He had a feeling there was something wrong, so he brought the kid to my house,” Racquel said. “He didn’t seem to know too much or didn’t want to say too much; he seemed scared, so I tried to make him feel as comfortable as possible.”

Racquel said she tried to get as much information as she could, including his name and school. She learned he went to Royal Palm Elementary School, which is less than a mile away from her home.

She said she called the school, but they were closed. Then she called their security department.

“We wanted to get him reconnected with his family as soon as possible because that’s a parent’s worst nightmare, to have a child missing,” Racquel said.

Eventually, they got hold of the child’s grandfather, Chris Thompson, who came to pick him up.

“The look on his father’s face when he showed up at my doorstep, that was all the thanks enough because he was visibly distraught,” Racquel said.

Thompson told NBC6 that his 9-year-old grandson, Asai, who is autistic, was at school for tutoring but didn’t see his tutor, so he left.

“In his mind, tutoring wasn’t going on, so he walked out to the gate where I pick him up, and he didn’t see me, he kept walking and realized he walked too far,” Thompson said. “The teachers and principal were upset at him, but it wasn’t his fault; he’s the one who’s autistic. You can’t blame him on his disorder.”

Broward County Public Schools sent NBC6 a statement saying they were aware of the incident “involving a student who left a supervised area of the campus. The student was safely reunited with their parent.”

“The school has reviewed its supervision and dismissal protocols and has implemented additional measures and communication procedures to help ensure this does not occur again. School administrators continue to maintain ongoing communication with the student’s family,” the statement read.

Thompson still has many questions. He told NBC6 this shouldn’t have happened to his grandson, who has a developmental disorder. 

As for Racquel, she’s happy she was able to help because she knows the story could have had a different outcome.

“There’s no way this should’ve happened, that’s unacceptable,” Racquel said. “What would have happened if Earl didn’t find him and bring him to my house? The possibilities could have been endless.”

NBC6 followed up with BCPS and Lauderhill Police for comment.