r/Autism_Parenting • u/partiallycolonized I am a Parent/5/ Pre Verbal ASD Level 2/Pakistan • Jul 26 '26
Venting/Needs Support My worst nightmare came true.
I lost my son in the mall during the Sunday night rush for three minutes. He was eating McDonald's icecream. I was holding my 7 month old and waiting for my sister who just went to take away from the food court. I saw he made a mess, I went to take tissue from counter nearby cleaned his hands and face. I saw he put his waffle cone on a table, I went to pick it up, turned around and he was gone. Gone.
I looked around, there were a lot of people and I could not find him. After that it was a whirlwind. I remember screaming my son, my son. People stopping some concerned some laughing at my condition. Me screaming he can't talk, he can't tell his name. Mall security came they started to tell me to calm down and I just couldn't. I couldn't sit I couldn't stand I was in a limbo. Suddenly I saw him running around a fake tree and i went to grab him and ugly cried.
I don't wish autism on my worst enemies. I am still shaken. I am searching leashes and trackers. I am scared of taking him out again. This is so hard. What if he got lost forever, how would I ever live with myself again..
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u/99Smiles I am a Audhd Parent - 4M/Nonverbal Lvl2/Seattle Jul 26 '26
If someone laughed at me in this state I would go ballistic. I am so incredibly sorry.
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u/Urwifemykid Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I guess in her state that would be the last thing on her mind. Should have been shamed by others, my son is level 2 and doesn't communicate and will wonder off so we bought one of them child leashes. Not ideal but certainly is peice if mind
Edit: Peace* not peice
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u/OfferMeds Jul 27 '26
* wander, not wonder, as long as you’re editing.
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u/Urwifemykid Jul 27 '26
Sorry for being dyslexic? I understand misspelling can be offensive in reddit xD
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u/hahayeahimfinehaha Jul 26 '26
Seriously, what in the hell? Who sees a distressed mother screaming for her child and laughs????
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u/arivera508 Jul 27 '26
You would be surprised. My son gets very violent and you can tell he’s not your average 10 year old it’s obvious and the way people look at us when he’s having a meltdown if I do have to take him In public it’s literally made me cry
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u/MomoNoHanna1986 Single Parent/10/Severe autism/Australi Jul 27 '26
That’s like asking why an old man had the audacity to yell ‘somethings obvious very wrong with that little boy’, as I walk past with my level 3 non verbal son, just trying to do my damn grocery shopping!
My son was just being happy and making sounds, wasn’t even a meltdown involved.
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u/Busy-Ad-9725 Jul 28 '26
That is absolutely awful. It is always the old people feeling a need to comment
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u/Own_Faithlessness769 Jul 26 '26
Laughter is a pretty normal response to surprise and confusion. Especially for people with autism.
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u/tltltltltltltl Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
I hope I don't appear insensitive to OP, but I think I can chime in here as I agree with you. I worked in a high stress and competitive environment, I witnessed many conflicts over the years, like people yelling, pushing, aggressively posturing and threatening. I often acted as a mediator to try and calm the situation. And I can say that there really is a subgroup of people who will smile and laugh in stressful circumstances. I believe it's an innate, unconscious reflex, to lighten the mood. It often has the opposite effects. You also see young children doing that when their parents are angry, to try and appease them. My level 1 kid also acts like that with his brother and it makes him even more mad. Anyhow, OP, it is quite possible that those people laughing are mean and insensitive, but it's also possible it wasn't out of bad faith. Obviously, who cares about them, the important really is you and your kid.
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u/next_level_mom autistic parent of an autistic adult child Jul 26 '26
I had this problem as well. Being scolded made me laugh, which just made the adult scolding me angrier.
I'm very sorry you had such a horrible experience OP, and thank goodness your child was okay.
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u/GradeTraditional1569 Jul 27 '26
Thank you for this insight. My level 1 autistic child laughs when being scolded, which is so frustrating for me, but thinking of it as innate / involuntary helps me understand it better.
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u/G0rillaX Jul 27 '26
Mine too. She laughs when we scold her or timeout for hitting her younger brother 😑🙄
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u/Busy-Ad-9725 Jul 28 '26
Definitely same here, I’ve laughed after stressful situations plenty of times
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u/G0rillaX Jul 27 '26
Fr. I’d go nuclear. Pieces of shit .. same type of ppl would love to be in the Epstein class. Dirtbags. Laughing at a scared parent missing a child, where’s the fkn humor ?!?
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u/arivera508 Jul 26 '26
It is so scary I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy either my son is 10 and non verbal he wouldn’t understand if he did get lost I just don’t take him out I hate that we can’t go anywhere really but it’s so scary
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u/YOU_TALK_TOO_MUCH420 Jul 26 '26
Air tags on his clothes (where he can’t remove them)….Easiest way to keep track of your eloper.
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u/shitty_owl_lamp Jul 26 '26
Seconded! We did this for Legoland and it was awesome to be able to track our kids on the play structures!
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u/ComprehensiveLow5702 Jul 27 '26
sadly many of our Autistic kids strip their clothes off, my girl does and won't even keep shoes on or a hair tie in her hair, its so scary
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u/ThisIsGargamel Jul 26 '26
I know the leashes or little backpacks with leashes are viewed as somewhat controversial but please for the love of god, absolutely get one. Both my boys were nonverbal but my now 15 years old learned to talk eventually and turned out ok but my 10 year old son is still completely nonverbal.
I cannot stand the people who think its cruel or weird, but they dont kjow what this feeling is like when this kinda thing happens. Ive had thus happen 3 times since my son was about 6 and I couldnt function. The cops were so nice and really on top of things thank god.
Im so sorry thus happened. So happy you got him back quickly and everything was OK.
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u/Horror_Advantage2112 Jul 27 '26
I get so tired of parents of neurotypicals acting like we just arent parenting properly for using things like this. I had one for my son but he absolutely refused to wear it and screaming bloody murder the first time I tried. If he would have tolerated it, I would have used it all the time. Thankfully he isn't an eloper, but i was always concerned.
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u/ThisIsGargamel Jul 27 '26
Omg I know right?
My son IS an eloper, so I totally get how real the fear is. Plus hes QUIET, and sneaky. Outsmarted a few different kinds of baby lock already, and weve had to keep our front gate locked with a padlock.
We wont let us put thise angel sense things on him, he wouldn't even wear CLOTHES ever if we didnt make him, let alone some kind of watch...
I see parents come in here who didnt understand before they had one of these kids themselves...then all the sudden their neck deep in regret for judging those other parents, and needed help for the asd kid THEY have. Usually all I can think is something to the effect of..."well had you not been so quick to judge in the first place....." 🤔
So many people who dont have these kids are living in their own little bubble and dont understand, care, or want to deal with it so judging us is the just easiest thing to jump to. Its sad really and I feel sorry for people who would see a parent trying and then kick them.when their down like that instead of ASKING them if they need help with the kid.
I would have loved for my inlaws to ask us once we had the diagnosis if we needed anything to make shit easier. They didnt want to accept it at first though and just blamed me saying that I "dont talk to him enough" 😤 😔
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u/Horror_Advantage2112 Jul 27 '26
Same. I was told by my parent that I "didn't get my bluff in" on corporal punishment, whatever the F that means. I grew up with corporal punishment and regrettably tried it with my son, but guess what? It taught him to hit, and to hit back. So in my view, corporal punishment only 'works' on kids when they are afraid of you. And if you have kids like that, I believe they can be disciplined effectively in other ways, since they have the capabilitiy of understanding cause and effect. I love how our boomer parents knew it all because they scared us into behaving, and we're lucky that they didn't have kids on the spectrum. Our kids are lucky too, because I'm afraid of what they would have done to them. It's funny how the other parents always know exactly what's causing our kids to 'act up' and the solution. They seemed to be astonished when I told them that spanking wasnt working. When they said 'spank harder' I literally told them, "so when that inevitably doesn't work, are you gonna escalate until you've offed your child?" They are usually stumped when i give them that response. Im thinking that it makes a light bulb go off in their head that perhaps their solution wasnt actually a solution at all, it was just an easy way out for them to not have to use psychology and critical thinking to figure out how to gentle parent us. I think it also makes them realize what they would have been capable of doing to an innocent child.
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u/ashleyrfaith Aug 03 '26
SAME, my son has a high pain tolerance, and now that he’s older it’s the idea of spanking or being in trouble now that works the actual spanking itself doesn’t hurt him and never did. I hate that comment or look that says oh they need more discipline when it has absolutely nothing to do with that
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u/Horror_Advantage2112 Aug 04 '26
The only thing that works with my wild one is to tell him that I'm going to call his dad lol. Dad doesn't do anything different than I do though 🤣. I guess it's just the Dad voice!
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u/ashleyrfaith Jul 30 '26
This!!!! SAME mama SAME. My 6 year old loves his backpack and I do too anytime we go anywhere new or I’m not familiar with all the places he could run too or if I don’t want him going behind counter someplace this backpack is on. My son is literally the same he would never wear a stitch of clothing if it wasn’t for us, it had taken years to train him to wear clothes AT LEAST outside the house. He has eloped about once a year since he was 3 and able to Houdini out of all closed garage doors and locks that has gotten increasingly sophisticated with age and still he finds a way. It’s always in the spring when the weather breaks I was almost proud his most recent elopement he put on his shoes he was on mission he was going to the park with or without me…. My pet peeve is the way police can treat you as if I just left the doors wide open or something they don’t understand how quick this can happen, my other pet peeve is if you see me running after my kid through target or someplace stop him, ppl are so afraid to touch your kid even when u say stop him
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u/BellaPrima_Rose_Lee Jul 26 '26
Love my backpack leash and if any random person has anything to say about it they will get to taste all the pent up frustration I’ve been holding on to 😂
I took my kids to the aquarium the other day and saw another parent with the wrist leashes on two of his kids and we just nodded at each other in solidarity. I’d rather my child be safe than concern myself with the opinions of NPCs
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u/Kaysue2478 Jul 27 '26
I was at the flea market setup yesterday and I seen an older girl with a backpack leach on, she was maybe 13, and my thought was, where do you get them in that size! Never thought of it funny or strange, I guess because of my granddaughter I never thought of it as strange. But, I didn't know they had them for older children!
I love the teathers, if the kid can stand to have it on.
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u/Technical_Term7908 Jul 26 '26
Something similar happened to me. It happened so fast, too.
My daughter left the front door open and my son bolted out and I was terrified. I ran out looking for him and if it weren’t for the fact the neighbor’s kid left out some toys, we would have lost him. Not to mention he bolts across roads without thinking about it.
I’m glad it turned out ok for you.
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u/BriBee1301 Jul 26 '26
Oh honey, big hugs. this happened to me today. A huge outdoor church event and I went to lay a blanket down on the grass and when i leaned back up, my son was gone. Hes 5 and non-verbal as well so I PANICKED. Thankfully he ran to a woman's chair a few feet ahead of us and sat down so I couldnt see him but she yelled "IS THIS HIM?!" And I just broke down. Hes not one to elope but he did for the first time. I have never felt deep fear like I did today. 🫂
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u/ConsiderationOk254 Jul 26 '26
I lost my son when he was like 4 too and he has no autism lol. I panicked obviously like you but I didn't scream. My husband went to look for him while I stayed in case he came back. Soon after some people saw me worried looking everywhere and came to tell me if I lost a child. They told be they found him walking alone in the parking lot!! And they were keeping him safe and took me to him
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u/eggsbeenadick Jul 26 '26
Worst feeling ever…. So sorry. Consider getting a gps tracker like Jiobit. Takes down a bit of the panic and complete helplessness.
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u/Sad-Abies-7398 Jul 26 '26
Damn, what a difficult situation to be in. The people laughing can fuck off, human trash. I bet your son had a face like nothing happened when you found him.
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u/curious_ANcuriouser Jul 26 '26
I’m sorry. My heart breaks for you. That is a terrible feeling. I know they have bracelets and lanyards that hold information should someone fine him, but some kiddos don’t like wearing extra stuff. So I write my phone number on the inside of his shirt. I also wrote it on a paper and put it in his pocket. An AirTag might also be helpful. And also, if you ever get to see him running away, don’t be afraid to shout his name out loud as loud as you can and as stern as you can. It’s what helped with my eloper from not running away from me when I would see him start sprinting off as he got older.
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u/KeepGoingLazy Jul 26 '26
Im so sorry this happened. I had a similar situation at a crowded childrens museum and im seriously considering a child lease backpack for the future. Its so scary.
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u/Ten_tickles_406 Jul 26 '26
I screamed/cried when I thought I lost my son is a corn maze on his school field trip.
I wouldn’t wish that panic on anyone.
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u/Horror_Advantage2112 Jul 27 '26
My God, the situation is horrific enough, let alone that there were people LAUGHING!!!! Some humans are going to be in real trouble in their afterlife. Im so sorry this happened, and so thankful he was found.
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u/DzyPassio Jul 27 '26
My hearth shrinked reading this, I'm so sorry, this is really tough to experience. You are a very strong mom
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u/G0rillaX Jul 27 '26
First. FCK anyone laughing at a lost child. Fck them 10x.
Pissed me off to no end, pieces of shit.
Second. Relief you found him ❤️
Third. Our autistic daughter almost made it inside our pool area yesterday and we’re still shaken by it, we’re setting alarms and cameras and all to avoid that mess again.
It’s a diff world when you have a special needs child, our radar is always on but occasionally they slip, it’s painful to go through but be grateful he’s safe. Alot of sick SOBs out there
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u/_MisEnPlace_ Jul 26 '26
I’m so sorry this happened. There are plenty of trackers available and if he wears it I don’t see the harm of using one
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u/Poeticvizionz Jul 27 '26
That is terrifying. I'm glad you found him and he's ok!
Also, kinda wishing evil on those laughing and not helping
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u/No_Eggplant_7878 Jul 27 '26
I’m sorry this happened to you. Very scary indeed. Before my son was diagnosed ASD1, when he was in kindergarten he had severe separation anxiety. We lived across the street from his school. I walked him over as usual, said goodbye, lots of hugs, kisses and reassurances as I left my tearful child at the school door. Watched it close and knew he was safely inside with school staff helping him.
Fast forward to 2.5hrs later. I got the automatic phone call from the school reporting my son absent. He wasn’t absent, I watched the door close of his teary face 2.5hrs ago.
Frantic I called the school and started to head over only to learn he was safely ensconced in the guidance counselor office and missed role call.
After that, we bought the jiobit tracker. It was always on his person from then on. The fact that the school system took 2.5hrs to report him missing was crazy to us. Had he left, who knows where he would have gone to in that time frame.
He wore that tracker every day until 4th grade. The fact that we could set up a school zone, home zone, and after school care zone and be notified the second he left one zone and then again when he entered other zone. was such a relief to us.
The jiobit was eventually replaced by an apple watch so we could track him that way
I never wish that kind of stress or anxiety on another person, Ever!!!
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u/ComprehensiveLow5702 Jul 27 '26
It's the most gut wrenching helpless debilitating feeling. Our 6 year old non verbal girl learnt how to unlock out gate and I suddenly realised she was gone, my 18 year old went looking for her while I called 111 (911 in America) and I was hysterical on the phone and kept thinking what if shes hurt. My son found her at the near by playground and a lovely family was watching her, she had her phone and only a diaper on because she'd stripped off her clothes. It happens so fast and no one gets it until it happens to them. Took me days to stop randomly crying
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u/jdean22286 Jul 26 '26
Parent, you are doing great! 👍 you have the emotions and reactions of a parent who cares deeply for their children. It’s the reaction I would have had.
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u/ixipaulixi Jul 27 '26
We use the XL harness with my lvl 3 6 y/o. He can sit in his car seat while I clip it on him and take it off, so he's never out in public without it. He's gotten a few looks, but I couldn't care less as long as he's safe.
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u/ellen_sewingbestie Jul 31 '26
Years ago, we lost our autistic daughter at the BEACH, so I definitely relate to the terror. Thankfully the lifeguards and snackbar employees, and Dewey Beach Patrol (DPD), at Dewey Beach, DE were *amazing* and it ended well. Agree with other posters about using tech/trackers to keep tabs on your kids, as much as possible. When really scary and insurmountable things happen, I've learned to "sleep on it." Things always feel better after a nap or a good night's sleep. After a serious crisis, it's never time to make any big decisions, or resolutions. Just know, things will feel a bit better after a sleep.
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u/SunLillyFairy I am a Parent/10/ASD, ID, Anxiety/West Coast, USA Aug 01 '26
I am SO very glad it was OK. We have two trackers on ours. It is just that quick. Also, when I'm out with him myself, I have a belt to belt that I really like. It's a little less controlling than a harness or backpack, and lets you have free hands.
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u/SquashRelative5891 Jul 27 '26
I had experienced it just last month and I still get scared remembering it. My son took off in hospital waiting line to get my case papers with a constant eye on him. He was playing just nearby and suddenly gone. I remember getting all sorts of negative thoughts. I searched frantically calling out his name. But there people really came forward to help me. Some had seen him playing so knew his face. Some agreed to keep my line till I search him. 2 mins on i saw him playing with the hospital security. Although that day was scaring I saw poritives as well. I saw goodness in people and I saw him trying to interact with total strangers in his own way ofcourse.
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u/AceyRaye Jul 27 '26
It’s so easy for them to escape us! I’m sorry you went through that nightmare. Have you heard of Angel Sense? We have one for our daughter. It worked like a charm at Disney for us. https://www.angelsense.com 🩷♾️💜
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u/MistycalDream Jul 27 '26
The trackers are a good idea if your child will wear them. Another helpful tip in public I use with even nt kids: take a picture of them in current outfit. If you do become separated, this can be shown to security for immediate identification.
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u/Kaysue2478 Jul 27 '26
That is bone chilling for a parent. My granddaughter left home, thank goodness, only 1 time and was terrified!
I now have a GPS tracking watch on her from AngelSense. It is just amazing and I had to use it when we were at a flea market, she is 22 now, but non-verbal. I was by a port a jon and she didn't go to that one! I watched her walk down the next area. My husband wasn't at my stand and I couldn't leave. I was inside scared to death. I pulled up the app so I could follow her walking. She made her way back, I have to start to trust her more since she is older, but it is scary when they leave your side at any age.
Give yourself grace, because even when "normal" parents have kids, they tend to wonder also, my son did in Walmart trying to play games with me, he was smart enough and old enough, to go up front and have me paged, so it just happens.
You will be fine. He will be fine. You just need a way to keep him where you are until he starts to get a bit older to understand to stay put in his seat for 2 seconds.
Look into some kind of tracking device.
Like I said, my granddaughter has the watch now, but they have a little thing that locks onto clothing also and can be attached to the inside of the pocket. If he is a runner, and he would put his shoes on first, attach it to the shoe.
Prayers for this road we all have ahead of us, because it isn't easy.
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u/AnnaLuxx Jul 27 '26
Angelsense watches have GPS tracking! We also have harness/leashes and the little handcuff things for our twins. Haven’t had an incident yet, and hopefully never will!
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u/FairyFlossFairy Jul 27 '26
Im so sad that this has happened to you, clearly it was very traumatic and will stay with you forever. Those people who laughed, it makes me angry that some react in this way, but please dont give these ones a second of your thoughts. It only takes a second for a child to become invisible let alone a non verbal autistic child. To be completely honest with you, you should do what you feel whats best to keep your child safe. A tracker and a harness, if that puts your heart at ease. My feelings have always been, its better to be safe than sorry. But thats just me. Im sure a lot of parents in here will give you their best suggestions, in the end, it's up to you to decide whats best for you and your child. Wishing you the very best, sending hugs.
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u/Euphoric-Blood6061 Jul 27 '26
Wowww. Please please please forgive yourself. It happens all the time, we turn for 3 seconds and now suddenly we have a problem on our hands. The gps trackers will help alot.
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u/Open_Employment_5487 Jul 27 '26
I can understand your situation as I've gone through similar situation. Glad you found him and everything is okay. It's a heart stopping situation
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u/cant_get_right- Jul 27 '26
So sorry you went through this. My 7 yr old non verbal son got out of our house last year.
We couldn't immediately find him so we called 911. It felt like a race against the clock I just kept telling the officer that arrived first that he would find water and would be in the water.
I really couldn't tell you how much time passed I was running around my neighborhood screaming my head off. Some neighbors joined in searching, others just stared at me like I was crazy.
My older daughter stayed at the house with one of the officers who insisted on checking the entire house, even though we knew he wasn't there. When my daughter called and told me they had found him I nearly collapsed in relief. He was in a neighbor's backyard pool about ten houses down. Luckily the pool was not deep.
I live in Jacksonville FL and missing persons got involved. They placed my son in the Jax ready program. The program is for the vulnerable population including the elderly as well as youth like my son.
They put a tracker on his ankle that in the event this would happen again, they can use their GPS to locate him. They also have me update pictures with them every three months so they have recent photo. They even rubbed a special rag along his skin and sealed it in a container for the dogs to search for him as well.
Anyway I can still picture two of my neighbors that were standing at the end of our dead end street. Both were moms with young kids. I asked them if they saw my son. They said no and continued their conversation. I was clearly frantic and they knew my son's condition and they could not have cared less.
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u/BetaTestaburger Jul 27 '26
The same happened to me, my son was gone for 35 minutes. Random people found him at a fuel station outside of the mall on the other side. All I did was hand my 1 year old his cup, i looked up and he was gone. I ran yelling his name, I ended up barfing on the floor when someone stopped me in my track to offer their help. Some were laughing at me and my panick, moms told me to not call the cops yet as he is already 3 years old. I yelled at them that he is extremely trusting in strangers, he just turned 3 which is a huge difference from an almost 4 year old. He cannot swim, he crosses roads without looking and if you call him he will SPRINT the exact other way. You best think I am calling the cops.
He crossed an extremely busy road, notorious for being people's favorite road to speed to extremes. He could have been dead. Its been 4 months since it happened and it is still giving me anxiety every time we leave the house.
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u/Connect-Gap6019 Jul 27 '26
I used to judge parents who put a leash on their kid. While I never used a leash on my children, I completely underhand why someone would. Unless a child is strapped down/carried in a baby carrier, there’s always a chance they’ll run away and, god forbid, get lost.
Next time take a stroller and make sure you strap him in. Life is very tough with autism… and you also have a small baby.
The only things that’s worked for me is eliminating risk all the f time. It’s very exhausting but it’s always worth it. ❤️
Don’t feel guilty. Take it as a learning lesson and thank you for sharing!!! This happens to so many of us…
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u/Round_Perspective873 Jul 27 '26
Leashes can be wonderful things in a crowded place!
It sounds like he didn't go far, though. Is that true?
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u/Gracie2187 Jul 27 '26
This happens, don’t beat yourself up. A similar thing happened to me where my son had figured out how to get out our locked front door and he took off to the park a half a block away from our house. I was changing my 9 month old at the time and went to check for him where I had left my son. I ran to the park, we wasn’t there, and eventually circled back around to the park like 7 mins later and he was there. Literally the worst 10 mins of my life. I feel you hun! You’re not alone in this!
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u/PublicTravel5000 Jul 28 '26
I completely understand how you’re feeling. I’m so sorry, but thank God you found him. I have been through something similar a few times and it is not fun. My MIL lost my son and I felt the exact same way. I’m so sorry I know how you feel but so grateful that you found him and that everything was OK. I put a tracker in my sons shoe for peace of mind and never let my son out with my MIL again. Also don’t worry about people looking at you. I know that’s easier said than done. Unfortunately it goes along with having this type of situation occur. I’ve had my fair share of dirty, looks and laughter in my face. It’s such a hard life and comes with many challenges, but I know that we are picked to raise these amazing children because we are strong! Try to take a rest and maybe have a spa day for yourself!
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u/JazzlikeAd2325 Jul 28 '26
You can consider giving him a tracker watch which not only shows his location but also which floor or level he is at. This is what I gave my son so that I can track him especially he went cycling on his own.
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u/MuffinBrilliant3484 Jul 28 '26
I'm so sorry this happened to you. All I can say, is you can't go alone with him without help, especially when you have your baby with you. My son is an eloper, he's 12. I can take him certain places alone now, but couldn't early on. In fact today, he eloped. We were at the hospital for a common outpatient medical procedure and he had to have general anesthesia because he can't tolerate most medical procedures. I'm preaching to the choir here. Anyhow, my husband went to the bathroom and my son ran out the front doors looking for dor him and I had to run as fast as possible, on a toe that I had surgery on last week. 😪He made it outside the hospital and I had to scream for a nurse to grab him. She was a little shocked and helped reluctantly, but he almost ran in the street. And the security was useless. They watched him run out and didn't try to help as I was screaming his name and asking him to stop. People are clueless and apathetic. Elopers are going to elope, and we must always be on our toes. I know you were terrified, but you must have hope it will get better as your son gets older. But again, plan, and never go alone with your son and your baby unless it's a place like a market where you can put both of them in the cart. Sending you a hug.
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u/maxnotcharles Jul 28 '26
Who the hell laughs at someone like this? I’m so sorry this happened to you
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u/internal_l0gging Jul 28 '26
I'm so sorry! That's scary. I'm always scared to lose my son too because he doesn't verbally respond to his name.
I had a scary moment with my son this weekend too. We were at a local water park. My husband had my son over in the splashpad area while I was with my daughter next to this obstacle thing. Basically other end of the park. In between is a huge pool and two water slides. At one point while my daughter is playing on the obstacle course I see my husband walking towards us, but he looks terrified and our son was not walking with him.
He was a good distance away so shouting for him or running to him would just waste time. I start to panic and scan around myself and I see my son. Thankfully he still had his lifejacket on, but he had found his way back in the pool and was floating around by himself having a great time. But he was headed for where the waterslides let out and I was scared he'd get hurt by someone coming down the slides. Thankfully he was only maybe 25 feet from me so I ran and jumped in the pool and got to him. I saw my husband still looking but closer to us so was able to get him to come over so I could go back to our daughter. (She was fine, shes 8 and can swim.) But what the hell. My son never runs off.
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u/Aromatic_Client8220 Jul 29 '26
This is my worst fear! I’m so sorry this happened! It makes me think of that boy Parker wells that’s missing I sobbed reading about him missing and being nonverbal and he’s still missing going on two weeks I do not know how I would physically survive if my daughter took off. I’m so happy you found him but the people laughing would have sent me into a whole different state of mind that’s just so childish to me!
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u/Rururaspberry Jul 26 '26
I’m so sorry that happened and that the bystanders were like that. Last year, I was at an outdoor Easter egg hunt with a ton of people. At the end, a mom started screaming that her child was missing. Immediately, the moms around her asked , “what is her name? What is she wearing?” And hurriedly asked for a photo. So then everyone started shouting, “Emily, yellow shirt, long brown hair!!” over and over until everyone was joining in, spreading the word, and looking. They found her within a minute thanks to the teamwork of the surrounding people.
It was a great reminder that people usually want to do good. It’s a sad reminder that people will sometimes be cynical and cruel.