Child goes missing at Fayetteville school, found in nearby pool

FAYETTEVILLE — A child who went missing during a recess Tuesday afternoon at Vandergriff Elementary School was found in a nearby swimming pool, according to a release from the School District.

The pool was on private property adjacent to the school, school officials said.

The child was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center, but neither school nor law enforcement officials would release information on the child’s condition Tuesday afternoon.

“The School District wants our employees and community to know of this situation and invites our school family to pray for the student and his family,” according to the news release.

District spokesman Alan Wilbourn wouldn’t disclose details on the student, citing federal law. He also wouldn’t

comment on how the child was able to leave school or the supervision of children at recess.

“We’re working with the authorities in the investigation,” he said.

Wilbourn said he didn’t know when more information would be released.

The Fayetteville Police Department received two calls within minutes of each other around 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Craig Stout said. One call from 3390 E. Mission Blvd., a location east of the school, was for the department to assist with a possible drowning. Another call was for a missing person coming from the school.

The home at 3390 E. Mission Blvd. is adjacent to Vandergriff and has a pool. The property is owned by Hershey and Denise Garner.

Hershey Garner is a radiation oncologist with Highlands Oncology Group. Denise Garner is a candidate to lead the state’s Democratic Party. The couple founded the hunger relief organization Feed Communities and initiated their programs Feed Fayetteville, Feed NWA, and Edible Oz arkansas magazine. The Garners have received

numerous awards for their community service and philanthropy.

Hershey Garner didn’t return a message left on his cellphone late Tuesday afternoon.

Stout, who hadn’t been to the school, didn’t now know the chain of events leading to the missing child or the child being found. He also didn’t have information on the condition of the child.

Police responded, along with the Fire Department and EMS, Stout said.

School Board Secretary Nika Waitsman, whose zone includes Vandergriff and McNair Middle School, visited

the school around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and spoke to school staff.

“They’re all just very prayerful and hopeful,” Waitsman said. “They are all hurting and struggling with this whole incident.”

School Board President Justin Eichmann received a call from Superintendent Matthew Wendt about the child.

“All I could think about was the child and the parents and how terribly worried and sick I am over the situation,” he said.