Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – This afternoon, Mt. Juliet Police officers quickly responded to W.A. Wright Elementary School after a 911 call reported a stolen vehicle with a child inside—an investigation later revealed the 10-year-old child had driven the vehicle away on his own.
At approximately 1:00 p.m., a concerned mother called 911 from the school parking lot at 5017 Market Place. She had stepped inside the school to drop off paperwork, leaving her 10-year-old son in the running vehicle. Upon returning, she discovered the car and child were gone. A witness reported the vehicle backed out recklessly, nearly hit another car, jumped a curb, and sped off toward Lebanon Road.
Mt. Juliet Police officers, detectives, and Wilson County Sheriff’s School Resource Officers (SROs) responded immediately, while additional officers searched nearby roads for the missing vehicle and child. At the same time, detectives worked with school staff to quickly review surveillance footage, which showed no one entering the vehicle before it drove away—prompting investigators to consider that the child may have taken the car himself.
A short time later, officers located the vehicle at the family’s residence on Montrose Drive, approximately one mile from the school. The car was found parked inside an open garage. Officers found the child safe and accompanied by his father, who was confused that the child arrived home without the mother. The child told officers he drove home after a disagreement with his mother. The vehicle had bumped into a refrigerator inside the garage while it was being parked.
Since the original incident occurred on Wilson County School property, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office SROs are handling the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s welfare and departure in the vehicle.
During the investigation at the home, Mt. Juliet officers discovered that the father had an outstanding warrant for Theft of Property – Wire Fraud out of Nashville. He was taken into custody without incident.
“Our team responded swiftly and effectively, working closely with Wilson County Schools and Wilson County Sheriff SROs to review video and gather facts as quickly as possible. I’m incredibly thankful that the child was found safe and unharmed. This incident is a clear example of the strong partnership we have with Wilson County Schools and SROs. That close collaboration ensures any incident at one of our area schools receives a rapid, coordinated response that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.” – Chief Tyler Chandler
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