A seven-year-old boy in Georgia experienced a bewildering ordeal after falling asleep at school and waking up to find himself alone. Oliver Stillwell, a second-grade student at Suder Elementary School in Jonesboro, missed his bus home on January 22, 2026, after dozing off during class.
Oliver’s teacher had instructed students to rest their heads on their desks as dismissal approached. While his classmates left for the day, Oliver remained asleep, unaware that he was the only student still in the classroom. Upon awakening, he discovered that all the buses had departed.
“I don’t know why they didn’t wake me up. My teacher could have woken me up,” Oliver explained in an interview with WSB-TV. Faced with the situation, he decided to walk home, a journey of approximately 20 to 25 minutes on foot.
During his walk, Oliver encountered a police officer and sought assistance. The officer promptly took him home in his cruiser. Upon hearing the story from both her son and the officer, Oliver’s mother, Lindsey Barrett, expressed her anger and concern.
“I was like, why is he walking on Lake Jodeco Road?” Barrett said, highlighting the potential dangers her son faced on his journey. When she arrived at the school to address the issue, she learned that Oliver had been moved to a different classroom prior to dismissal. The teacher responsible for overseeing Oliver reportedly stated that she had not seen him that day.
Barrett asserted that her son should not have been left unattended in the classroom while other students left. She also emphasized that the bus driver should have noticed his absence. “It’s taken everything for me to stay calm. And all I get is, ‘I’m sorry,'” she remarked regarding her interactions with the school administration.
In response to the incident, Clayton County Schools released a statement acknowledging the situation. “District leaders are aware of a matter involving a student enrolled at Suder Elementary School. The safety and well-being of all students remain the district’s top priority. The matter is currently under investigation to address and determine the appropriate action,” the statement read.
This incident has raised questions about student safety protocols and supervision at schools, as parents and community members await further updates on the investigation. As Oliver’s story circulates, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in ensuring the well-being of students in educational environments.
