Canton, Michigan, September 13, 2025
News Summary
A mother expresses alarm after her daughter, a special needs student, went missing for the third time from Bentley Elementary School. The Plymouth Canton School District is reviewing safety protocols amid rising community concerns about child safety. Parents are demanding changes to ensure all students, especially those with special needs, are properly supervised to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Canton, Michigan – A troubling situation at Bentley Elementary School has left a local mother deeply concerned for her daughter’s safety after the school lost track of her seven-year-old daughter, Audrina, a student with special needs, for the third time. In a recent incident, Audrina wandered away from school and was later found alone in the woods by the playground.
The alarming scenario began when Crystal Clark received a phone call from the school asking about Audrina’s GPS tracker. Despite the tracker being on, it was rendered useless because the school staff failed to put the device on her coat before sending her outside. Following this incident, Crystal reported her worry and anxiety regarding her daughter’s safety, fearing potential accidents or an abduction.
Many parents share Clark’s frustration, especially given that the Plymouth Canton School District has faced significant criticism regarding its handling of such incidents. While school officials stated that Audrina never left school grounds and was quickly located, Crystal’s previous experiences have heightened her concerns. In earlier instances, she recalled, Audrina was found wet and covered in debris after wandering away during school hours.
In response to parents’ concerns, Crystal Clark is demanding immediate changes to ensure student safety within the school. School district officials acknowledge the mother’s frustration, emphasizing that there is no excuse for the oversight that occurred, regardless of whether Audrina was on school property. They recognize that steps must be taken to improve safety measures within the school environment to prevent any future incidents.
The school district has indicated that it is currently reviewing its procedures and protocols regarding student safety, especially for children with special needs. They are committed to addressing these concerns promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of all students at Bentley Elementary School.
This ongoing situation highlights the growing frustrations of parents with schools that serve children with special needs. As schools are tasked with the significant responsibility of caring for their students, incidents like these raise questions about the adequacy of safety protocols currently in place.
In addition, the local community is becoming increasingly vocal about the need for improved safety measures, further emphasizing the necessity for schools to implement more vigilant supervision, especially for vulnerable populations like children with special needs.
The Plymouth Canton School District has stated that they will continue to communicate with parents about safety standards and any actions being taken to improve student oversight. Ongoing updates and reevaluations of policies are expected to be communicated to parents and guardians to rebuild trust and provide reassurance regarding the safety of their children.
Background Context
Bentley Elementary School is part of the Plymouth Canton School District, which encompasses a diverse student population with various needs. The growing concerns from parents about safety, particularly for students with special needs, underscore the urgency for the district to thoroughly review and enhance existing safety protocols. As the stakes are high in ensuring that all children can learn in a safe and supportive environment, parents are demanding assurance that their concerns will be heard and addressed promptly.
FAQ Section
What happened at Bentley Elementary School?
A seven-year-old girl with special needs, Audrina, went missing from the school for the third time and was later found alone in the woods near the playground. The school’s staff failed to secure her GPS tracker.
What are the mother’s concerns?
Crystal Clark is anxious about her daughter’s safety, fearing accidents or potential abduction, and is calling for immediate changes in school safety protocols.
How is the school district responding?
The Plymouth Canton School District has acknowledged the situation and is reviewing its safety protocols to prevent future incidents. They are committed to improving oversight for students, especially those with special needs.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Child wandered from school premises |
| Child’s Name | Audrina |
| Mother’s Reaction | Frustration and demand for safety changes |
| School’s Stance | Child never left school grounds, oversight acknowledged |
| Community Response | Growing concerns about safety protocols |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Canton Repository: Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Starts Safety Task Force
- Wikipedia: Child Safety
- Click On Detroit: Plymouth Canton Schools Using AI to Enhance Security
- Google Search: Plymouth Canton Schools AI security
- Fox 8 News: How AI Tech is Enhancing School Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- The Canton Citizen: School Committee News
- Google News: School Committee News
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
