US

7-Year-Old Leads Police on Wild Joyride After Driving Car 20 Miles in His Pajamas

CASEVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A 7-year-old Michigan boy barefoot and in pajamas drove a car for 20 miles, sometimes hitting speeds of 50 mph, before finally slowing down and stopping with the help of authorities.

“He was crying and just kept saying he wanted to go to his dad’s,” Caseville Police Chief Jamie Learman said. “That was pretty much it. He just wanted to go to his dad’s.”

Police began looking for the Pontiac Sunfire around 10:15 a.m. Monday after someone called about a very young driver. The boy was staying with his mother in Huron County’s Sheridan Township, a rural area 110 miles north of Detroit. She had worked the night shift and was unaware her son and the car were gone.

The boy had hoped to drive to his father’s home in Filion, also in northern Michigan. Police pulled him over in Caseville Township, some 15 miles to the west.

Learman told the Detroit Free Press he feared the boy would crash as the car veered to the right on a rural road and fishtailed.

“When that happened, he seemed to be increasing his speeds,” Learman said.

The chief sped ahead and tried to box-in the Sunfire with the help of a Huron County sheriff’s deputy who was behind in another vehicle.

“I slowed down, he slowed down and eventually stopped,” Learman said.

Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson said the prosecutor’s office and child welfare officials were reviewing the matter.

The prosecutor “is going to want to know things like … where did he learn how to drive?” Hanson said.

Learman said he’s seen drivers under 15 but not someone this young.

“I‘m just glad he didn’t get hurt, and no one else got hurt,” Learman said. “I can just imagine the stop signs and other things he didn’t stop for. I’m just assuming a 7-year-old didn’t follow the traffic laws.”

Comments (65)

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  • apollo18
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 11:04am

    I didn’t really drive until I was 22. Had an enlistment to finish. 6-7? A LOT going on here besides driving skills. This is a desperate slap in the face, not a “chuckle” over your morning coffee. Who is helping this family?

    Report Post »  
    • apollo18
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 11:09am

      PS To that Ohio trooper that pulled me over a LONG time ago, on my way to Ravenna for USNR drill at Kent State, when I was going way too fast and falling asleep: Thank you. God bless you and your family.

      Report Post »  
  • endgamer
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:34pm

    It‘s funny how divorce changes your relationship with your children if you’re the Father. I wouldn‘t be surprised if the mother was keeping the father out of the child’s life. Or worse, maybe mom’s new boyfriend was beating or molesting him and he wanted to be safe with his dad.

    Report Post » endgamer  
  • psadie
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:40pm

    Somebody is gonna get aaaaaaaa spanking.

    Report Post »  
  • Tickdog
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 3:22pm

    wow…

    Report Post » Tickdog  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:10pm

    Not a joyride. As a child of divorce, and a mother of a sweet 7 year old boy, my heart goes this little guy. I understand that his mom was probably very tired, and maybe I’m just paranoid, but EVERY little sound my kids make in the night wakes me, no matter how tired I am. Hopefully she’ll pay better attention to what is going on.

    Report Post »  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:12pm

      This is not to say that he shouldn’t have a good spanking for having done something so dangerous.

      Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:27pm

      Do we get him a key chain and some shades for crusin’ for his birthday?

      Report Post »  
  • sbeejustsaying
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 1:08pm

    The mom works at night so……………she goes to sleep and the little boy is on his own. What? What happens when she goes to work at night? The little boy gets in the car and takes off to see his dad. The child must be pretty tall at 7 to see through the windshield and have access to the floor pedals, which apparently he could do. Now- this kid takes his mothers car keys and takes off with her car! This kid thought that was ok at 7 yrs old. What is wrong with this picture? Everything.

    Report Post » sbeejustsaying  
  • hcartexas
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:49am

    John 3:16…. cops are a bunch of bad apples…… (im a former cop), They are absolutely out of control and routinely violate civil rights, ethics, and laws…….. When every second counts, cops are minutes away. THEY DONT POLICE… THEY ENFORCE LAWS.

    Report Post » hcartexas  
  • hcartexas
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:45am

    Please, Please Pleasepleaseplease…. Whip that ass…..

    Report Post » hcartexas  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:17am

    Typical, the police find the boy, probably saves his life and others and no comments about “I hate the cops, they‘re all a bunch of bad apples or I don’t trust any of those badges.” The cops do good and it’s just their job. If they do something that might look suspicious, we judge them all without knowing all the facts.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:03am

      yep, I agree!

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 2:29pm

      Look harder, the anti-cop comments are here. They are just a little subued. I read at least three before I got to your post.

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • SREGN
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:48am

    I hope he got to see his Dad.

    Report Post »  
  • justasoldier
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:39am

    MAN BURNS SELF ON NH COURTHOUSE STEPS. http://www.theburningplatform.com/?p=17240

    Hey BLAZE! Why haven’t we seen this? Obama bends over backwards to treat the guy in Tunisia who set himself on fire for his vegetable cart, but an American…Veteran…and Father lights himself on fire in New Hampshire and not a peep?

    This guy was fighting the Children and Youth services…relevance to the 7 year old driving story? The system is designed to destroy families, on the first instance or threat of abuse, or when a divorce happens. The LEGAL system is actually operating outside the law, and it’s casualties are families.

    Report Post » justasoldier  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:16am

    What would you all being saying if he crashed the car into a mini van killing a family of five???? I regardless of age have no sympathy, the public was in danger!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • MR.CANADA
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:33am

      I would say he was just 7 !!!!!!

      Would you arrest him and throw him in jail for 20 years ? Good Grief he is just 7 !!

      Thank god he didnt crash and kill someone else or himself,remember he is 7 !!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • nomercy63
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:15am

      PIck up a telephone and say DADDY????? A seven year old can pick up a gun and shoot someone so do we all just go oops he is just seven and forget the whole thing! The public was in danger the police were in danger every person that was walking or driving was in danger, if your family was injured or killed or someone you know it would be a totally different response!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 2:09pm

      No Mercy -

      I respectfully disagree regarding your statements. Yes, he could have picked up a phone and called his father, but he didn’t. He, like any 7 year old, made a decision that he was going to go see his father.

      Was the public in danger? Yes. But the public is in danger every time someone steps out of their front door. And some people die because of the negligence of others. Others die because their parent/guardian or other supervisor decide that’s it and they kill them.

      This story is about a child who decided to visit his father and put his plan into action. He’s not a hardened criminal. He’s a child. You could, of course, toss him in a jail cell and throw away the key. However, NO ONE was hurt. The police were able to resolve it without injury to anyone.

      Now, hopefully, the courts and the Child Protective Services will be able to work out something so it doesn’t happen again.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 2:24pm

      Your wrong!
      My response would still be the same only more so if others, including me or family, were involved and injured. Obviously not everyone is like you!….Imagine that!

      Poor little guy………………

      Report Post » Rational Man  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:37am

    “where did he learn how to drive?”
    Video Games.
    Ever heard of flight simulators? How much easier is it to figure out a car?
    Also says A-LOT about mom that he would do this to get to dad!

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:25am

      My dad used to drink a lot when I was a kid. Sometimes he came home without the car. One time, when I was 8 he left the car about a mile away, up a curb in a snow storm. My mom wanted me to try and find it. I followed his tracks back to the car & drove it home. It was a ‘60 Chevy wagon with “3 on the tree”. So if I can figure out how to drive stick at 8, this kid could easily drive an automatic at 7.

      Report Post »  
    • MR.CANADA
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:34am

      My Dad grew up on a farm,and by 7 yeah you know how to drive..

      Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 6:24pm

      Canada, that’s true. I had to go help on the two family farms in the summer. That’s where I learned at about 6 or 7 on a tractor, then the IH pick up.

      Report Post »  
  • shirlgirl63
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:36am

    I would like to know who was watching him.

    Report Post »  
    • treshall
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:54am

      Mom works the nightshift, must have come home and gone to sleep. Little guy took the keys, headed out for his dad’s place. God bless him, it really speaks to his determination that he undertook this journey on his own. Thank God neither he nor anyone else was injured. I hope that his dad understands the significance of his son’s actions.

      Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:33am

    Perhaps if couples got married before children, and if couples didn’t divorce just because the wind is out of the west, kids like this wouldn’t need to joy ride to see his father.

    Report Post »  
    • treshall
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:50am

      Excellent point, Ted. The left has so successfully destroyed the traditional family that little guys like this are increasingly driven (you should pardon the pun) to acts of desperation. Marriage is not easy, raising children is not easy and there is not one child on this earth who asked to be born: personal, adult responsibility is the necessary key. Men and women need to get over themselves and their “I’m A Victim and I Need the Govt. to Save Me!” mentality and step up. Parent your children!
      To the brain dead liberals who are ceding their childrearing responsibilities to Children’s Services departments I say, “Wake up, children. The 60s are over.”

      Report Post »  
    • Blackaurora44
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:05am

      You sir have NAILED IT! Divorce way way too easy to do. This is why the fabric of American society is undone and getting worse. It used to be, “Wait til your father gets home!” Now it’s someone else and beware of spanking or social services knocks on your door etc. blah blah blah.

      Report Post » Blackaurora44  
  • Juergensen
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:32am

    He drives better than the illegals and old geezers around here.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:30am

    Praying on, Guys!

    GOD BLESS AND PROTECT our children, HIS children, and esp. the children of the lost.

    Way to go, policemen! Looks like you “did it right”!!! That’s how I grew up with policemen who were honorable and good. These guys look like heroes to me.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:25am

    The break down of the American family…ain’t it grand?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • becauseitmatters
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:40am

      It’s sad, truly sad. But what do you expect when you take God out of the equation, and people don’t value good character anymore. You get chaos and sadness.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:48am

      Yep, and it’s multiplying rapidly.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:31am

      It is a very scary time for children right now……..children can sense when things are not right. They know when their parents are scared, worried. Parents only scare them more then they don’t discuss things with them and tell them things are alright! Have 13, 11, 10 year old grandchildren. It is amazing what all they are aware of.

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:08am

    This is sad. I hope child protective services can find a fix for this family, especially the mother who for whatever reason allowed it to happen.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • bew0576
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:08am

    Poor little fella, speaks to the determination of children. All he wanted was to go to his dad’s.

    Report Post »  
  • one years food ration like glenn says
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:08am

    This is what happens when you get arrested for corporal punishment.. Just wondering Snow do you have a beeper that alerts you to the blaze when a new story arrives ? Or do you never sleep ?

    Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:07am

    .
    That kid was lucky they did not beat him like a Harp Seal………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • MAJORMINOR
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:06am

    Just one example of the tragedies of a broken family. Hope all get the help they need…father, mother and son.

    Report Post » MAJORMINOR  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:46am

      You nailed it, sir. Kids are usually the victims and suffer the most.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • MonIIIcine
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:50am

      Oh, bs, to blame broken family on bizarre “super-8 crime”

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • MAJORMINOR
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:00pm

      MonIIIcine
      The kid was not out to make a super 8 video crime but to see his dad…that was only motivation and since his dad does not apparently live with his mother … looks like a broken family to me.

      Report Post » MAJORMINOR  
    • DarkWolf
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:14pm

      Yeah, and why was the kid home alone at 7 years old?

      Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:05am

    Surprised they didnt use the tazer on him.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:01am

    The kid wanted to see his dad, and even a kid who watches his folks do such as driving often enough is able to figure stuff out fairly quickly. We will see how it goes from here though.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:09am

      I‘m glad the kid didn’t crash, sounds like he did pretty good. I wonder how they are going to deal with this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWDHs-GnHh8

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:13am

      Morning, SNOW, I wouldn‘t call this a ’joy ride’, I would call it a ride of desperation in the eyes of a 7 year old. He wanted his dad! Hope all is well this morining and the tea was quite fine. Have a 30% chance of rain today and it increases the next 3 days. We can only hope…..

      Report Post »  
    • KnightWriter
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:43am

      Video games, basically simulators probably taught him how.

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:52am

      Wow, and to think that at times my kids don’t even want to call their father….. He’s all about entertaining, not parenting. Kids know the difference. Of course, we don‘t know what kind of parent this boy’s mother is, but if he’s willing to take such drastic steps to go see his dad….. It doesn’t sound like mom is doing a very good job. Maybe it‘s her work schedule that’s keeping her from being more of a parent? Who knows? Poor kid…..

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • MonIIcne
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 8:57am

      Those are some HUGE pajamas! (to be able to drive 20 miles in them…)

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 9:51am

      When I was 6 or 7 my grandfather and I were returning from one of our hunting trips. We were in the sticks on farmland, on dirt roads, when my grandfather pulled over and said, “scoot over.” He switched positions with me, and put me behind the wheel of his Chevy Silverado. His next words were, “Go ahead.” That was all the drivers ed I ever had. I drove the truck the rest of the way home.
      Clearly a young boy with aptitude has been observing adults for some time, and is capable of driving.

      How many times have you SPECIFICALLY told your children they MUST NOT drive until they are 16 or 15 or whatever the legall age in your jurisdiction? If you don’t tell them not to, a child’s natural curiosity can WELL lead them to try new things.

      Parents need to assume responsibility. Slap them on the wrist and let it be over with.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:22am

      Nobody wins in parental conflict of Divorce. Children are further damaged when mothers with hold them from their fathers.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • chazman
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:39am

      My grandfather taught me to drive his 1963 chevy pick-up, with three on the tree, when I was six years old. We were fencing in about 45 acres of new pastures for his beef cattle and he needed a driver. I made five bucks … a week!! I also drove his tractors and the riding mower, so don‘t tell me a seven year old can’t drive!

      Report Post »  
    • Wyatt's Torch
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 10:45am

      He probably drives better than some licensed drivers I see.

      Report Post » Wyatt's Torch  
    • LandBuyer
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:02am

      mine was figuring out how to drive by the time he was four….”just keep it between the lines Dad.”

      Report Post »  
    • Sound The Trumpet In Zion
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 12:02pm

      The some kids are, he may have been doing this because he thought that maybe he would be able to bring his mother and father back together again too.

      Report Post » Sound The Trumpet In Zion  
    • Dale
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 3:29pm

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      The kid wanted to see his dad, and even a kid who watches his folks do such as driving often enough is able to figure stuff out fairly quickly. We will see how it goes from here though.
      ——————
      Call me stupid, but I took my son to my office when he was three. I only needed to run in and get something – so I left the engine running. As I went in and looked out the window, I saw the car backing out of the parking lot. I ran out and the car came to a stop before hitting a parked car on the opposite side. (Fortunately, it was a very quiet street). He managed to move the gear shift from ‘P’ark to ‘N’eutral. I was very lucky, but kids observe us and learn much more than we imagine.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • Uranium Wedge
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:52pm

      Get that kid interested in NASCAR.

      Report Post » Uranium Wedge  
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