ONLY ON ABC-7: Parent concerned after second-grader found leaving Lundy Elementary, EPISD responds

Sept. 12 Update: An El Paso Independent School District official called ABC-7 Friday morning to follow up on an incident Thursday morning in which a second grade boy left Lundy Elementary on his own.

The incident continues to be investigated by the district.

A district spokeswoman told ABC-7 Friday that the principal and assistant principal at Lundy Elementary did meet with the parent of the child. The spokeswoman would not say when that meeting occurred.

The district spokeswoman said the mother is appreciative of how the school has handled the situation.

Read the original story below.

Sept. 11 story: Armando Alarcon’s wife found a second grade boy who left Lundy Elementary at 6201 High Ridge Drive on his own Thursday morning.

“She notices this little kid outside of school grounds crying and really just pretty distressed,” Alarcon said. He’s speaking out in hopes other students won’t be able to leave campus as easily.

The second-grader was found walking down Via Serena Drive on his way home, because he said he was being bullied in his gym class.

“It turns my stomach that us, as good people, drop our kids off and expect them to be taken care of. The PE (physical education) coach needs to be held accountable and the chief of police need to be held accountable,” Alarcon said. He alerted El Paso police, who told him to call the El Paso Independent School District Police Department. He said everyone he spoke to seemed like they weren’t concerned.

Alarcon’s just grateful his wife stepped in to help.

“Luckily, my wife was there, and those parents are going to be able to see their kid again. A lot of people aren’t that fortunate,” Alarcon said.

Alarcon’s wife took the child to his home instead of returning him to the school.

ABC-7 did speak to the boys’ mother off camera, who was visibly upset and said she was told the school’s principal couldn’t talk to her about what happened because he was in a meeting.

EPISD did acknowledge the incident happened. “The safety of our children is a top priority and our campuses are a secure and safe place for our students to be. We are addressing safety concerns to reinforce procedures with parents, students and staff. Any child who feels threatened or bullied is encouraged to report it to any EPISD employee so proper action can be taken,” district spokeswoman Vanessa Monsisvais said.