JONESBORO, Ark. – A 33-year-old mother in Arkansas was taken into custody this week for allegedly making her 7-year-old son walk approximately eight miles to his elementary school after he missed the bus. Amber Nicole Thompson is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a child and domestic battery.
The incident unfolded on April 2 when deputies from the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a young boy found walking alone along Craighead 476 Road. The child told a farm shop owner that he was walking to Valley View School after missing the bus. Remarkably, the school was seven miles away from where the boy was discovered.
According to the child, he had been punished the previous night by being sent to bed without dinner, and he feared further consequences if he missed school. He also revealed that he had two younger siblings living with him at home, aged 2 and 3.
Deputies then accompanied the child back to his residence, where they found Thompson sleeping in one of the bedrooms. When questioned, Thompson confirmed that she had indeed not fed her son the previous night and justified her actions by saying that she had told him to set an alarm. She dismissively added, “it was not her problem” if he had to walk to school.
During the course of their visit, authorities noticed numerous bruises on the 3-year-old child’s face, back, butt, and arms. The children’s father admitted to spanking the 3-year-old for lying but claimed the other bruises likely came from the older sibling.
Thompson was released on bond after posting $50,000 in bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 24 in Craighead County Circuit Court.