‘Are you going to get me in jail?’ Florida boy, 5, returned home after walking to Chick-fil-A by himself

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WJW) – A 5-year-old boy who wandered away from home was concerned that he’d be put “in jail” by the officers who found him at his local Chick-fil-A, bodycam video released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Florida shows.

The boy, identified as William, had left his home and walked to the restaurant all by himself at about 7 a.m. on June 24, deputies said. Employees called the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and stayed with him until two patrol officers arrived. Chick-fil-A workers also provided the boy with breakfast, the video shows.


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William told the officers he lived nearby and had walked to the restaurant on his own. They took him outside and into the squad car to drive him around and see if he could point out his home. But before William got in, he asked, “Are you going to get me in jail?”

“No, I’m not going to put you in jail,” one of the officers responds, chuckling.

During the drive, William was able to point out his house, which officers noted was well-secured and surrounded by fencing.

The fence, however, was locked, and the call box wasn’t working. One officer hopped the fence and knocked on the door.

The police video shows that William’s parents were visibly stunned. They said they had no idea the boy had gone missing. He seemingly awoke before everyone else, unlocked the front door, and squeezed through the fencing — something he’d never done before, his mother said.

William’s mother said the boy knows the way to Chick-fil-A because they’ve walked there before.


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“To be clear: William’s parents are not in any trouble,” the sheriff’s post reads. “They had several safety measures in place. But this is a good reminder to teach kids their home address, parents’ names, and a phone number. It could make a big difference in an emergency.

“A big thank-you to the Chick-fil-A employees who immediately called us and kept William safe until officers arrived,” the office added.

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