Two wander from Pittsburgh school

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A Pittsburgh Public Schools student who walked away from Pittsburgh Carmalt PreK-8 on Tuesday was found safe.

The 14-year-old with autism, a Pittsburgh Bridges Academy student assigned to a satellite program at Pittsburgh Carmalt, left through a staff-designated door and was found on Pioneer Avenue, a PPS spokesperson said.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Superintendent Wayne Walters said the boy got upset and left the classroom. Two staff members followed him and tried to help de-escalate, but Walters said he left through a staff door, which didn't have an alarm. The staff members went after him, but he outran them, Walters said.

The school will now add an alarm to that door, Walters said.

Board president demands answers
Gene Walker, president of the Pittsburgh Public Schools board, said he was ready to take questions to Walters, as this was the second time in the last week that a student went missing from a PPS school.

On Oct. 7, a 7-year-old student in Pittsburgh Colfax K-8's autistic support program briefly wandered away during recess. The student was found after knocking on a nearby neighbor's door.

"We need to be more vigilant as we do this work to ensure our young people who have the most serious needs get the attention that's necessary," Walker said.

The 14-year-old who walked away on Tuesday left using the staff door, which does not have an alarm. His bus driver saw him wandering on Pioneer Avenue before picking him up and taking him home. The PPS spokesperson said staff and officers with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police searched for the student.

Walker said he and others will take their questions to the superintendent and his staff before a meeting on Wednesday.