Thread: Missing child at Chuck E Cheese UNBELIEVABLE!!!

There shouldn't be any BASHING HERE. I'm sorry I think that if your child is invited to a party (at someone's house or out in public) it is the responsibility of all ADULTS to keep an eye on the children. There is usually more than one adult at one of these parties.

I also think that the restaurant should of made an announcement calling the child's name, using a nickname. That's the least they could of done.

As for watching the front door I can tell you from experience that I've gone in/out of the same restaurant and NO ONE WAS THE WISER THAT I'D COME IN OR THAT I'D LEFT. If you're going to stand there for the customers that are walking in then stand there, watch the door. That's what you're getting paid for. I do realize that most of the employees are teenagers (most are here) but they need to learn responsibility. I would hate to think if something else happened to a child and an employee was wrongly accused of doing something.

I'm glad the child was found.

My knee jerk reaction was to say, "Why wasn't the boy being watched, given his age." But, then I got off my high horse, and recalled a situation when I thought my son was taken. Much different situation, yet it was a time when I thought someone had him, who did not and my son walked away.

So, I have to say that I think that CEC acted poorly in this matter, as far as the info the staff was given, that boy was no longer on the premises. So, they should have locked the place down, used the PA system and checked every kid at the door.

Our CEC is really good about it, but I will send a letter if you pm me and tell me what you want. My letter would be in regard to the lack of procedure at that location, and also stating that I read this case scenario on a public message board.

My first reaction was also why wasn't someone watching him? but then thought back to when mine were smaller and the times they would wander off in a store.

I remember one time at wal mart and my oldest was no where to be seen, I couldn't find him anywhere. I started to scream his name. I had everyone looking at me lol but I didn't care this was my baby. I finally found him standing crying cause he couldn't find me. that was the worst thing ever.

I sure am glad they found him save.

Our Chuck E Cheese has someone at the door monitoring incoming and outgoing people. You can not leave without having your number on your wrist checked and it has to match everyone leaving with you. I've always put my mind at ease when we are there because I know there is no way my daughter would leave with someone else or on her own.

Glad the boy was found. I have "lost" my daughter before and it is the scariest feeling in the world! And the seconds feel like hours.

well just as you don't want to blame the mom I def don't want to blame chuck e cheese for this. It isn't their fault what so ever that a 4 year old was left on its own. A person could have taken the child and the mother could have never seen him again and all because of misunderstandings I know I am not perfect either and don't claim to be but I guess this should be a learning experience. Make sure you know who is watching who and don't assume anything, your children are depending on you, their very lives depend on it. What if this was somewhere else where they don't care, like mcdonalds or a carnival, or the park, children disapear (sp?) every day because people turn their backs and make dumb mistakes.

While I agree that CEC could have done more, it isn't their responsibility to watch the children there. When I bring my children there (and it's rare, believe me), I am aware ahead of time about the atmosphere and the abundance of children and families there. I don't take my eyes off my children--even for a second. They're that important to me. I'm not really comforted by their "security measures" and feel it's my duty as a parent to watch my child for every second that they're in there. My BIGGEST pet peeve for bringing my children to CEC or similar places (and the biggest reason that our visits there are rare) is the irresponsibility of the other parents there who think they can sit and eat pizza while their children play unsupervised. I would estimate that 80% of the children playing in CEC are not being watched by their parents and that's sad.

I guess it's a lesson learned for the parents in this situation that it's never okay to just assume that someone else is watching your child. JMO.