Mishawaka Family Calls for Accountability After Child's Unnoticed Exit from School

Photo byWSBT

Mishawaka, Indiana — A community is reeling after a startling security lapse at Beiger Elementary School, where a five-year-old student walked out of the building unnoticed during recess, sparking concerns over school safety protocols.

Megan Link, the child's mother, was shocked when her daughter returned home at 11 a.m., a time she should have been safely engaged in her kindergarten class. "Why are you home from school?" was her immediate reaction, only to learn that her daughter had simply walked out of the playground, unnoticed by school staff, and made her way home alone.

While relief washed over Link as she realized her daughter was unharmed, a lingering sense of dread remains. "What if we weren't home? What if something happened? Anything could have happened. Nobody knew about it. That's a problem," she shared, her voice trembling with the weight of what could have been a far more tragic outcome.

Link’s concerns are echoed by other parents in the community, who are demanding answers and assurances from school officials. Despite over 50 cameras on-site and multiple supervisors present during recess, this breach has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the school's safety protocols.

Kory LaBonne, the director of human resources and school safety for the School City of Mishawaka, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the incident has prompted a thorough review of their safety plans. "It's not just about having staff present; it's about their placement and ensuring they have a clear line of sight to monitor all students effectively," LaBonne explained.

In the wake of the incident, the school is making changes to prevent a repeat occurrence. When Link drove past the school later that day, she noticed a School Resource Officer stationed at the gate, a sign that the administration is already taking steps to address the lapse in security. However, it remains unclear if this new measure will be permanent.

This incident has left the community on edge, questioning how such a significant oversight could occur and what it means for the safety of their children moving forward. As the school district continues its investigation, parents are left grappling with the unsettling reality that a child could walk away unnoticed from a place meant to be secure.