Haverhill Schools’ ‘Revising Protocols’ After Bradford Elementary First Grader Goes Missing After Recess

File photograph. (Image licensed by Ingram Image.)

Haverhill Public Schools are revising their protocols around student safety in the wake of an Oct. 21 incident in which a Bradford Elementary School first grader wandered off after recess.

According to Superintendent Margaret Marotta, the boy was “recognized as missing” by school officials and officially thought to have gone to the bathroom, but actually made his way to the nearby wastewater treatment plant. When he was not located, Marotta said, the school called 911.

When school officials were on the phone with Haverhill Police, other staff members searched the school and neighborhood. During the call with police, school staff learned that another came in eight minutes earlier from a Good Samaritan who followed the boy to the treatment plant and waited with him and an employee until help arrived.

“We are very thankful to our watchful neighbor, the Haverhill police and the water treatment plant staff. We are relieved that the child is safe. We are reviewing the incident and revising protocols in our ongoing efforts to assure that all students are safe at all times,” Marotta said in a statement.

The state Department of Children and Families is also involved in the investigation.

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