Student wanders from Plattekill Elementary playground, prompting major police search
The child was found in a wooded area approximately an hour later. School officials are reviewing how the student managed to leave the playground.
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A student who wandered away from a playground at an Ulster County elementary school Monday prompted a search involving multiple police agencies, drones, a K-9 unit and ATVs.
Wallkill Central School District Superintendent Anthony White says the student left the playground at Plattekill Elementary School around 1 p.m. and entered a wooded area adjacent to the school.
According to White, school staff immediately recognized what happened and notified the main office and school resource officer by radio.
The Town of Plattekill Police Department, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police responded. Authorities established a coordinated command center and used drones, a K-9 unit, ATVs and a secure perimeter during the search.
The student was located approximately one hour later in a wooded area behind a church adjacent to the school.
Community members who contacted News 12 raised concerns that the child may have been found in or near a creek behind the school.
In response to questions from News 12, White clarified that the student was not found in or near a stream or brook but confirmed the child was wet when located, which he said may have contributed to the confusion.
It’s unclear how the child became wet or whether the student had entered the water at any point before being found.
White says the child was evaluated by emergency medical personnel but did not require treatment.
The district is now reviewing how the student was able to leave the playground, which officials say is supervised by staff members equipped with radios.
White says the district plans to meet with those involved to review the response and determine whether additional safety measures are needed.
Questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the student’s age and how the child managed to wander away.
News 12 has requested additional clarification from the district and law enforcement about the incident and search.
