2 Prince William County School Staff Charged After 5-Year-Old Spotted Running In Road

WOODBRIDGE, VA – Two Prince William County Public Schools employees have been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after a five-year-old child in their care left school property and was seen by community members in a nearby road, police say.

According to the Prince William County Police Department, officers responded to a report of a child leaving school grounds on Oct. 7 at about 2:13 p.m. They say two employees at Occoquan Elementary School in Woodbridge were on the playground and tasked with watching students when a five-year-old boy climbed over a fence, left school property and ran across Old Bridge Road, which borders school grounds.

A police representative told Patch people saw the child in the road and called them.

School staff found the child unharmed and brought him back to school.

The two staff members, Maira Rehan, 36, of Woodbridge, and Kristina Forgas, 28, of Stafford, were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Prince William police say. Both have been released on a court summons.

Forgas is described as a teacher of students with autism. Rehan is not listed in the staff directory, but is a teacher assistant, according to the school.

In a letter sent to Occoquan Elementary School parents on Friday, Principal Michael Lint said the school had contacted the parents of the five-year-old involved in the incident and that both women had been placed on leave.

"Safety is our top priority at Occoquan Elementary, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for every student," Lint wrote. "This is a serious issue, but we do not believe that this isolated incident is reflective of the great work being accomplished every day by our school team." 

Occoquan Elementary School says it has 634 students and 99 staff members.

This story has been updated to include comment from Occoquan Elementary School.