Child Found Wandering Lancaster Streets After Fleeing School

District says student receiving specialized support left building without authorization

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A Lancaster County man located a missing child who had run away from Fulton Elementary School on Tuesday. The child, who was not wearing a coat, was found confused in the middle of an intersection. The school district said the matter has been referred to authorities for investigation and that they are taking steps to review procedures and strengthen safety protocols.

Why it matters

Incidents of students, especially those with disabilities requiring close supervision, leaving school grounds without authorization can be extremely concerning for families and raise questions about school safety and security measures. This case highlights the need for schools to have robust systems in place to prevent such occurrences and quickly respond when they do happen.

The details

Diante Rivera said he spotted the young boy running in the middle of an intersection and immediately went to assist him, treating him "as if he was one of mine." The school district confirmed the child had "eloped" from Fulton Elementary on February 10th and that the matter has been referred to authorities. The district said it is reviewing building-level procedures and individual supervision protocols to strengthen safeguards for all students.

  • The child ran away from Fulton Elementary on February 10th.
  • The incident was reported to police on February 10th.

The players

Diante Rivera

A Lancaster County man who located the missing child in the middle of an intersection.

School District of Lancaster

The school district where the incident occurred, which said it is reviewing procedures and protocols to strengthen safety measures.

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What they’re saying

“I noticed in my rearview mirror the kid running up the block, and I just couldn't help myself, just run to him and just treat him as if he was one of mine.”

— Diante Rivera (wgal.com)

“The child eloped from Fulton Elementary on Feb. 10th. The matter has been referred to the relevant authorities for an investigation, and we are cooperating fully.”

— School District of Lancaster (wgal.com)

What’s next

The school district said it is taking steps to review building-level procedures and individual supervision protocols to strengthen safeguards for all students.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical importance of schools having robust safety measures and supervision protocols in place, especially for students with specialized needs, to prevent unauthorized departures from school grounds and ensure the wellbeing of all students.