An 8-Year-Old Child Took the Bus Alone Without a Coat or Guardian... Reported It Because It Seemed Strange

A Child with Developmental Disabilities Reported Missing Two Hours Earlier
Safely Returned to Family After Police Protection

A story has been shared about a child with developmental disabilities who boarded a bus alone without wearing an outer coat in cold weather and safely returned to their family thanks to a citizen's report and the police's prompt response.

On the 14th, the YouTube channel 'Korea National Police Agency' uploaded a video titled 'A bright 8-year-old child passenger... turns out they were wandering alone?' The video begins with a scene of a child boarding a bus alone around 7 p.m. on the 31st of last month in Seoul. Despite the cold evening after sunset, the child boarded the bus alone without a coat or guardian. The child moved around the bus, sitting in different seats. A citizen who found the child's behavior unusual reported it to the police, who immediately dispatched officers to board the bus.

Screenshot of the YouTube channel 'Daehanminguk Police Agency'

The police first reassured the child, then held the child's hand and got off the bus together. They then took the child to a police box and attempted to communicate to identify personal information. It was confirmed that about two hours earlier, a missing person report had been filed for an 8-year-old child with developmental disabilities. The police discovered that the child on the bus was the same individual as the missing person.

The police immediately informed the child's parents that they were protecting the child and played with the child using toys until the parents arrived. The child's mother, who rushed over after receiving the police's call, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I was really shocked when my 8-year-old son with developmental disabilities disappeared while I was parking, but thank you for finding him."

Netizens who heard the story responded with comments such as, "Thank you to the police officers for your hard work," "Thanks to the bus passengers for their concern," "I also have a similar son, thank you, officers. It touches my heart," "I can only imagine how scared the mother must have been," "I'm so relieved the child found their parents," and "It's always reassuring to have the police."