An Indianapolis mother says what was supposed to be a routine Uber ride to Guion Creek Middle School turned into a nightmare when the driver allegedly took her 12-year-old son roughly 10 miles in the opposite direction to Fountain Square. She says she tracked the car in real time with an AirTag, called 911 when the route made no sense, and that the driver eventually let her son out before driving away. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has opened an investigation, and the family says it is determined to see whoever is responsible held accountable.
Mother Tracked Son With AirTag
According to WTHR, Geralyn Alexander ordered the ride to get her son to school, then watched in disbelief as his location showed him headed away from campus and toward Fountain Square instead. She told the station the trip was canceled about 11 minutes in, even though her son was still in the car.
Alexander said the man behind the wheel did not match the profile photo on the Uber account and that communicating with him was difficult because of what she described as a language barrier. She told reporters she FaceTimed her son during the ride and began to panic as she watched the car continue to move farther from Guion Creek Middle School. At that point, she said, she called 911 and kept tracking his location. According to her account, the driver eventually pulled over, allowed the boy to get out, and then took off.
Police And Company Responses
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed it is investigating the incident. Detectives have not released details about any potential suspect or charges and say they are still following leads.
In a statement to 13News, Uber said it was “alarmed by what’s been described and is looking into the report” and that it “stands ready to assist the police,” according to WTHR. The company did not immediately provide additional details about the driver or the trip as the investigation continues.
Rideshare Rules And Context
Uber’s teen-account program generally requires riders to be at least 13, so a 12-year-old would not qualify to request an independent ride under that feature. LegalClarity notes that parents can set up supervised Family profiles that allow trips for 13 to 17-year-olds to be visible and trackable by guardians, part of a broader push to tighten oversight of teen riders.
The incident lands amid a series of national reports about teens and rideshare safety, fueling fresh questions about how thoroughly drivers and rides are verified and monitored, especially when minors are involved.
Alexander said she has been crying ever since the ordeal and plans to push for accountability. Her family is cooperating with investigators, and IMPD is asking anyone with information to contact the department. The investigation is ongoing, and as of now police have not said whether any driver has been formally identified or charged.
