HISD says the five-year-old left school after leaving the nurse's office. He'd complained of stomach pain. District officials say the nurse told him to return to class.
Five-year-old Malik Addison is in Pre-K at Carter G. Woodson. On Monday, HISD admits he wandered away from school alone, unbeknownst to anyone at the school.
Malik's mother Tammeiko Addison asked, "How can a five-year-old leave off your campus without nobody knowing?"
That day it was not clear and sunny. It was rainy and the boy was walking the only route he knew home, right across busy Airport Boulevard.
"Thank heavens he knew how to look both ways before he crossed the street," Tammeiko said.
Malik made it a half mile or so, where school officials say he encountered a homeless person who was drinking. A security guard apparently saw the pair talking, found it curious and stopped to help the boy. Apparently Malik was able to give her directions to their apartment. Thankfully his father was home. He recalls the moment he saw Malik show up.
Eric Addison said, "Surprising to see my five-year-old get out a car I've never seen before. 'Hey son, what are you doing home?'"
Malik's parents say he still hasn't explained that.
HISD Chief Schools Officer Dallas Dance released a statement reading in part, "The circumstances surrounding this incident have been reviewed and appropriate disciplinary actions have been taken. District administration and school staff have reviewed the school's polices and procedures and have made the necessary changes to ensure that something like this does not happen again."
The district wouldn't say what changes have been made or what that disciplinary action was.
