An Arkansas mother got arrested on Wednesday for making her 7-year-old son walk almost eight miles to school alone after he missed the bus.
Amber Thompson, 33, informed Craighead County deputies that it was not her concern if the boy had to walk to school because he was old enough to wake up and prepare to go. Jonesboro Right Now reported.
The boy went to a farm shop about half a mile from his home Tuesday morning and told the shop owner that he had missed the bus and would be in trouble at home if he missed school. He was still seven miles away from Valley View School, where he was a student.
The shop owner contacted deputies, and the boy informed them that he had been in trouble the previous night and had to go to bed without supper. He also disclosed that Thompson had instructed him to set an alarm and get ready by himself because “she wasn’t going to.” He mentioned missing the bus in the dark and skipping breakfast. The deputy gave him a beef jerky.
The deputy returned the boy to his home but was unable to get a response from Thompson and entered the locked door. Two deputies went in through the unlocked front door and discovered the 7-year-old’s two younger brothers, aged 2 and 3, along with Thompson asleep.
Arkansas Department of Human Services employees visited the home and found bruises on the 3-year-old’s face, arms, back, and buttocks. Thompson’s husband stated that he had swatted the boy on Sunday for lying but claimed that the bruises were likely inflicted by the older brother, according to WLBT. He was not arrested.
Thompson was charged with domestic battery of a person less than 12 and endangering the welfare of a minor and released on a $50,000 bond. She is due in court again on May 24.
[Featured image: Amber Thompson/Craighead County Sheriff’s Office]