UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded at North Park Elementary School as a 5-year-old boy, identified as Oliver Epstein, was found wandering alone and unsupervised near a McDonald’s approximately one mile from the school. This alarming situation arose on November 4, 2023, while Oliver was supposed to be under the care of his after-school program.
Emotions ran high at the Saugus Union School District governing board meeting on Tuesday, where Oliver’s mother tearfully expressed her fears. Oliver’s father, Brett Epstein, revealed that he received a call from his nanny alerting him of the situation. Despite the after-school program supervisor assuring his wife that Oliver was in their care, he was already on his way home with the nanny.
Epstein emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “If Oliver wouldn’t have been spotted by his nanny, we would have had a missing kid’s case.” He voiced his frustration over the school’s negligence, highlighting that his son had crossed busy streets alone, raising serious safety concerns. “Thank God he wasn’t killed or abducted,” he added, underscoring the potential dangers.
The dismissal time for Oliver was at 12:20 PM, but he was found alone nearly three hours later. Epstein demanded answers from the school board, calling the oversight a critical failure. “Think about what I’m telling you. Our 5-year-old son crossed busy streets alone,” he stated, illustrating the risks his child faced.
Concerns regarding the safety protocols at the school emerged, especially in light of a similar incident that occurred in 2019. Epstein questioned the school’s response, mentioning mixed explanations about why the gate was unlocked and how substitutes were involved in the incident. “I’ve been told that the gate should have been locked at all times. However, we’ve also been told it’s a fire hazard. Which one is it?” he pressed.
As this story develops, the Epstein family has pulled Oliver from the after-school program, while the program supervisor remains employed. The emotional toll on the family is evident; Epstein stated, “We haven’t slept through the night. We replay every horrific possibility in our mind.”
Numerous parents expressed their support for the Epstein family during the public comment period, urging the board to take immediate action. Governing board member Matthew Watson acknowledged the incident, but due to privacy laws, specific details could not be discussed. He assured the Epstein family that Superintendent Colleen Hawkins and her staff would be in contact to ensure the safety of their child moving forward.
The emotional response from the board was palpable, with member Katherine Cooper sharing a personal story of her own child’s close call. Board member Anna Griese expressed her frustration with the situation, stating, “There’s really nothing that I can say that’s going to make the situation any better. It’s just excuses at this point.”
As the community grapples with the implications of this incident, the Epstein family is left questioning the safety of all children in the program. “What protocols fail so catastrophically? How many other children could be at risk in the future?” Epstein asked, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and reform.
This developing story serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities schools hold in ensuring the safety of students. The Epstein family and concerned parents await a resolution, hoping to prevent such a harrowing experience from happening again.
Stay tuned for updates as the Saugus Union School District addresses the community’s concerns and reviews safety measures in place for after-school programs.
