MONROE, N.C. — A 12-year-old Monroe student was pulled over by police Wednesday morning after driving a family SUV to school when he missed the bus.
News Release From Monroe Police Department:
Today, at approximately 8:32 a.m., a Monroe Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a sport utility vehicle after observing the driver showing suspicious behavior and realizing the vehicle was equipped with a fictitious license plate.
During the course of the investigation, the officer determined that the driver was a 12-year-old child. The child stated he missed his school bus and made the decision to drive himself to school.
The School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to the school was contacted and responded to assist. The SRO safely transported the child to school without further incident. The vehicle was secured, and the child was released to appropriate school authorities.
As required by North Carolina law, a referral has been made to the Department of Social Services for follow-up. The Monroe Police Department is working with the family and community partners to ensure the juvenile’s safety and well-being.
While this incident ended without injury, it serves as an important reminder to parents and guardians to secure vehicle keys and ensure children do not have access to vehicles without supervision. Allowing an unlicensed juvenile to operate a motor vehicle creates significant safety risks to the child and the public.
Under North Carolina law, law enforcement officers are mandated reporters and are required to notify the Department of Social Services when they have cause to suspect that a juvenile may be:
· Abused (including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse)
· Neglected (including lack of proper supervision or care)
· Dependent (without a parent, guardian, or custodian able to provide care or supervision)
· The victim of human trafficking
· Exposed to environments involving domestic violence or substantial risk of harm
· Living in conditions injurious to their welfare
These reports ensure that trained child welfare professionals can assess the situation and provide appropriate services or interventions when necessary.
The Monroe Police Department remains committed to the safety of all children in our community and encourages parents and guardians to take proactive steps to safeguard minors from preventable harm.
