A 10-Year-Old Stole His Mom's Car, Then Got His Dad Arrested

Well, this kid's getting nothing for Christmas...

A report of a stolen car with a child inside, out of W.A. Wright Elementary, had Mt. Juliet officers racing into action—only to discover the ending was far different than expected.

A Mother’s Panic Turns Into a Police Pursuit

Around 1 p.m., a mother stepped inside the school to quickly drop off paperwork. When she came back out, both her child and her car had vanished. Cue the heart dropping. A witness even reported seeing the vehicle backing out wildly, “nearly hitting another car, jumping a curb, and speeding toward Lebanon Road.”
School staff jumped into action as Mt. Juliet Police officers searched the area. With details like that, everyone expected the worst… but then came the twist.

The Car Wasn’t Stolen—Just Driven by a Very Determined 10-Year-Old

A short time later, officers found the car safely parked in an open garage on Montrose Drive, only a mile from the school. Inside was the child—completely fine—and his very confused dad, who had no idea why his son was home early… or without Mom.

Police said surveillance video showed no one entering the vehicle, which led them to a surprising possibility: the 10-year-old had driven himself home. And sure enough, the child told officers he had a disagreement with his mom and decided to take matters—and the wheel—into his own hands.

No Charges for the Child, but a Surprise Arrest

Officials decided the child was too young to be held criminally responsible and referred the case to the Department of Children’s Services for review.
But the day wasn’t over. Police learned the boy’s father had an outstanding warrant for theft of property and wire fraud out of Nashville. He was taken into custody without incident. Not quite the family reunion he expected.

MJPD Chief Tyler Chandler praised the rapid teamwork, saying, “Our team responded swiftly and effectively… I’m incredibly thankful that the child was found safe and unharmed.”