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The mother of a teenage boy in Arkansas is receiving flack online after a couple found him wandering alone at night. The woman who spotted him shared a video of their encounter on TikTok, writing that the “poor baby got lost.” In the clip, the boy is seen wearing a gray T-shirt and shorts while clutching a bag of popcorn in one hand and holding a water bottle and what appears to be a notebook in the other.
The woman explained in the caption that she was outside swinging when her dog began chasing the boy, causing him to run into nearby bushes. At that point, she had no idea who he was, only that he seemed lost. Once she stopped him to ask questions, the boy said he had been at Spring Lake Park to watch a movie with his family. Her husband then joined the conversation and asked the boy what had happened. He explained that he and his sister had gotten into a dispute over sharing a pillow, which led to his family leaving without him. When the man asked in disbelief, “And they left you?” the boy quickly replied, “Yes.”
Arkansas Mother Explains What Happened After Reuniting with Son
In a follow-up TikTok video, the boy’s mother, Jennifer, appeared alongside him to share her side of the story. She explained that her son, Bo, is severely autistic and also has genetic conditions that affect him. According to her, after the pillow argument, he refused to leave the movie area. Jennifer said their car had been parked less than 20 feet away, but Bo must have mistaken another vehicle that was leaving the area as theirs and ran after it.
Once she realized he was missing, she and her husband searched the park, notified event organizers, and involved security and local authorities. She said the movie was paused three times while people used flashlights to help look for him. The search ended when the woman from the first TikTok called to say she had found him.
Jennifer stressed that the family had never left the park during the search and expressed frustration that her son’s video had been posted without her consent. “Instead of you taking a video of my child, you should have gotten my phone number first and then called me,” she said, adding that posting it online “for views” was both unnecessary and invasive.
What Are Netizens Saying About the Arkansas Incident
A lot of people have shared mixed opinions online. Some viewers were sympathetic to the woman who found the boy, praising her for stepping in and ensuring his safety. Others criticized the family, with one commenter saying, “Those strangers had more warmth and kindness. This is appalling,” and another writing, “He looks at her for approval to keep talking that is so sad.”
However, there were those who felt the boy spoke clearly and shared his story without hesitation. Some even offered words of encouragement for Jennifer, with one writing, “Awww! You’ve raised him very well… especially 3 out of the 5 being autistic. You’re doing great! Don’t let the internet tell you otherwise.” A few people also saw the videos as a reminder not to jump to conclusions about someone who may seem lost. As one person put it, “No harm done if you meant no harm to your son, ma’am.”
