A boy with autism in Long Island, New York, probably experienced a very unique “talk” after he took an Uber to an airport in an effort to fly to Japan. He was unsuccessful, of course, but the boy’s parents had the scare of their lives.
PIX11 News reported on the boy’s attempted international travel plans. The child, identified as 11-year-old Jamel Josiah Johnson, decided to head over to JFK Airport by himself. And at around 5:54 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, his family’s doorbell camera captured him entering an Uber, suitcase included.
Meanwhile, the boy’s parents, Tenesha and Jamel Johnson, were upstairs. They were sleeping, completely oblivious to the fact that their prepubescent child was on the way to catch a flight.
Eventually, they did wake up and, of course, panicked, noticing that their son was nowhere to be found. Upon checking the doorbell camera footage, they became even more concerned.
Uber Riding a Minor
The frightening scene came with bigger-picture concerns. After all, it is against Uber’s policy to transport minors all by themselves without the supervision of an adult.
Jamel, understandably, was furious over this policy violation. He asked, “How did this gentleman [the driver] decide to let this 11-year-old get in his car and go off, without an adult?”
Still, their minds were set on their boy’s safety. Jamel went to get his phone, but it was nowhere in the house. Josiah had taken it, and once they called the father’s number, someone else picked up the phone.
Airport Alone
While Jamal and Tenesha were sleeping and then panicking, Josiah had successfully arrived at the JFK Airport. He had dreamt of traveling to a far-away land, and he was very close to fulfilling his fantasy.
And what appeared to be a dream was a nightmare to his parents, but also to the TSA agents. Standing in line was an 11-year-old boy, all by himself, and that definitely sounded the alarms.
The agents eventually got hold of the situation and accompanied Josiah through this very confusing moment. Then, a TSA agent answered an incoming phone call: it was Josiah’s father.
Flying to Japan
Everyone sighed a sigh of relief. The TSA agents solved the mystery behind Josiah’s airport escapade, and Jamel and Tenesha learned that their son was safe, even calling the agents heroes.
And why did the boy manage to pull such a feat? He was obsessed with Fukuyama, the City of Roses, and home to the beautiful and majestic Fukuyama Castle. Apparently, the boy wanted to visit the city after watching videos of it online.
And while Josiah is now safe with his parents, they are still very worried about how the 11-year-old was able to ride to the airport by himself. Jamel told News 12, “It is really about getting the awareness of any family that has a child on the spectrum. This could happen to you. And Uber itself needs to be more mindful of not just allowing anyone to get into their vehicles.”
Reportedly, Uber has since contacted the Johnson family. They clarified to media outlets that drivers are instructed to cancel rides for unaccompanied minors.