URGENT UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded on November 4, 2023, when 5-year-old Oliver Epstein was found wandering alone near a McDonald’s about a mile from North Park Elementary School, where he should have been at an after-school program. This alarming situation has raised serious concerns about student safety and oversight within the Saugus Union School District.
During a tense meeting of the Saugus Union School District governing board on Tuesday, Oliver’s father, Brett Epstein, revealed that he received a call from his nanny reporting the child’s whereabouts just three hours after he was dismissed from school at 12:20 p.m.. “If Oliver wouldn’t have been spotted by his nanny, we would have had a missing kid’s case. He could have been abducted,” Epstein stated, expressing his frustration and fear over the incident.
The mother, visibly distressed, spoke during public comments, urging the board to address the “gross negligence” that allowed her son to leave school unsupervised. Epstein detailed how the program supervisor falsely assured them that Oliver was in their care. “The supervisor didn’t put the phone down to check on him. This is a critical safety failure,” he emphasized.
Multiple board members acknowledged the incident, but privacy laws limited their comments. They did express hope that Superintendent Colleen Hawkins would reach out to the Epstein family to ensure their son’s safety moving forward. “This is not an isolated incident but rather a pattern of negligence,” Epstein remarked, citing a similar incident at the same school in 2019.
Epstein has since removed his son from the after-school program, while the program supervisor remains employed. “We haven’t slept through the night. Our son walked a mile unaccounted for,” he said, highlighting the potential dangers Oliver faced. The board was urged to take immediate action to prevent future occurrences.
Parents and community members expressed their outrage and concern during the meeting, demanding accountability and improvements to safety protocols. Board member Matthew Watson noted the challenges posed by privacy laws but recognized the need for transparency. “There’s really nothing that I can say that’s going to help the situation,” board member Anna Griese added, echoing the community’s call for better oversight.
As this story develops, parents across the district are left questioning the safety measures in place for their children. The Epstein family’s experience raises urgent issues regarding the protocols that failed on that day. With many families feeling vulnerable, the district must act swiftly to restore trust and ensure the safety of all students.
The Epstein family is demanding answers and a thorough investigation into how such a situation could occur. Parents are encouraged to stay vigilant and voice their concerns to district officials, advocating for the safety of their children. This incident has not only impacted one family; it has ignited a community-wide conversation about vigilance and accountability in the care of children.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Saugus Union School District responds to this critical incident.
