A mother is seeking answers after her sixth-grade son, who has special needs, was found miles from his school and alone. The incident occurred during a student walkout related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. While school officials reportedly advised students to stay on campus, a group of students, including the child in question, left. The student was later able to contact his mother, who then located him. The mother is considering legal action against the school district.
Background of the Event
On a recent school day, students at Dundee Middle School participated in a walkout. Reports indicate the protest was against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While school leadership had urged students to remain on campus, a number of students exited the school grounds.
The Student: The child involved is an 11-year-old sixth-grader with special needs. He reportedly did not fully understand the reasons for the walkout but followed other students when they left.
The Discovery: The student was later found wandering alone on the side of a highway, miles away from the school.
The Contact: The student managed to call his mother from his phone. Using the phone's tracking capabilities, his mother was able to find him.
Parental Response: The mother has stated she wants answers from the school and is considering legal action. She also indicated that her son is now hesitant to return to school.
Circumstances of the Walkout
This incident at Dundee Middle School is part of a larger trend of student walkouts protesting ICE policies that have occurred at various schools across the United States.
Read More: England Schools Funding Changes To Help Poor Students And Special Needs Kids
Scope of Protests: Student-led walkouts concerning ICE have been reported in cities like Chicago, Aurora, and Lombard, as well as in states like Indiana and Nevada. These protests have involved hundreds of students.
School Guidance: In the case of Dundee Middle School, school leadership had explicitly advised students to remain on campus. The extent to which this guidance was enforced for all students is unclear.
Student Comprehension: Reports suggest that some students, including the child in question, participated in the walkout without a full understanding of the protest's objectives.
Student's Special Needs and School Agreements
The educational needs of the student and potential school obligations are central to the mother's concerns.
Individualized Education Program (IEP): The student has special needs, implying he likely has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed with the involvement of teachers and counselors. Critics suggest that leaving such a student unattended violates agreements made within the IEP.
School's Duty of Care: Questions arise regarding the school's responsibility for monitoring students, particularly those with identified special needs, during school hours and during student-organized events or departures.
Broader Context of School Walkouts
Student protests regarding immigration policies have become more common.
Student Advocacy: Students involved in these walkouts often express a desire to use their voices on political and social issues. Some reports suggest student actions have received support from their school districts.
Academic Performance: Notably, some of the schools where these walkouts have occurred have been described as having failing academic records or performance below state averages in subjects like math and English. This information has been raised in discussions about the broader educational environment.
Expert Analysis and Opinions
One article suggests that the school failed the student and potentially violated a federal agreement. The parent is encouraged to pursue legal action against various school staff, including teachers, counselors, and the principal.
Another report highlights that the student’s mother was able to track him via his phone, an unforeseen safeguard in this situation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The core issue revolves around a special needs student being left unattended and unsupervised after leaving school during an organized walkout.
Key Questions:
How did the student leave the school premises without supervision?
What protocols were in place for monitoring students during the walkout?
Were adequate measures taken to ensure the safety of students with special needs?
Potential Actions: The mother is exploring legal options. Further investigation is required to ascertain the specific events and school procedures that led to the student being left behind. The school district's response and any internal review of the incident will be critical.
Sources Used:
ABC7 Chicago: Provides an account from the mother, Blasdell, detailing her son's distress and her intent to pursue legal action. (https://abc7chicago.com/post/mother-wants-answers-son-special-needs-found-wandering-alone-dundee-middle-school-ice-walkout-protest/18622333/)
Notthebee: Reports on the incident, focusing on the student, Richard, and his mother's ability to track him. (https://notthebee.com/article/special-needs-sixth-grader-left-stranded-on-side-of-road-after-leaving-school-with-classmates-for-ice-protest/)
Twitchy: Frames the event as a failure of the school, Dundee Middle School, and suggests significant legal repercussions for the institution and its staff regarding the treatment of an 11-year-old with special needs. (https://twitchy.com/brettt/2026/02/21/special-needs-student-left-behind-at-anti-ice-school-walkout-n2425275/)
Fox News: Connects student walkouts at schools protesting ICE with the academic performance of those schools. (https://www.foxnews.com/media/schools-let-students-leave-class-protest-ice-have-failing-academic-records)
CBS News: Details student walkouts across Chicago and suburban areas protesting ICE. (https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/high-school-walk-out-ice-protest-chicago-aurora-lombard/)
USA Today: Compiles reports and visuals of student walkouts across America concerning ICE. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/03/student-walkouts-protests-ice-videos-photos/88492929007/)
