Janeen Boyce says her 9-year-old son, Josiah McClure, slipped away from a Chicago Public Schools summer program and managed to walk nearly half a mile before a CTA bus driver spotted him and called police. The child, who is sometimes nonverbal, crossed State Street and several busy intersections, Boyce says, and was taken to a hospital as an unidentified patient. She had enrolled Josiah in the National Teachers Academy summer program specifically for extra supports and is now demanding answers from the district.
As reported by CBS Chicago, the episode unfolded on July 8 after a school bus dropped Josiah at National Teachers Academy and — with it still unclear whether he ever made it inside — the boy wandered from the Cermak area nearly half a mile down State Street, even crossing expressway exit ramps. A CTA bus driver pulled over to help, called police, and officers took Josiah to Insight Hospital, where he was reportedly listed as a John Doe for about an hour before staff reached his mother. Boyce told CBS she has documentation showing a Special Education Classroom Assistant was to meet Josiah "upon bus arrival for a hand off," and that two weeks earlier Josiah briefly left campus at recess when a back gate was open.
Where it happened
According to National Teachers Academy's website, the school lists its address as 55 W. Cermak Road and hosts summer programming at that campus, placing it just west of State Street where Josiah was seen walking. The school site includes calendars and contact details that parents use for summer-session questions and programming information.
Special-ed handoffs and CPS policy
Chicago Public Schools describes a Special Education Classroom Assistant (SECA) as a paraprofessional who supports teachers and students with disabilities and helps with transitions like arrival and dismissal, according to the district's special-education materials. Parents and advocates say paperwork that spells out a SECA handoff should mean an adult is present at bus drop-off; when those procedures break down, families say children are put in real danger.
Family response and next steps
Boyce said she is thankful to the CTA driver who found Josiah and wants CPS to explain how her son was able to leave campus and what changes will be made to prevent a repeat. CBS Chicago reported it reached out to the district for comment and had not received a response.
