Posted on 05/12/2003 5:10:11 AM PDT by Lorenb420
A mildly autistic seven-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., unwittingly tested the beefed-up U.S. border security system over the weekend.
It failed the test.
Mitchel David Hernder didn't intend to cause an international flap when he ran away from his Menzie St. home about 4:15 p.m. Saturday. He was simply disgruntled with his dad's decision to ground him, so he left home with his sister's bicycle.
After reaching the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, the boy threw the bike down the gorge because a sign on the bridge said "No bicycles allowed," his father Mark Hernder said yesterday.
While neighbours and Niagara Regional Police scoured the Canadian side, he casually walked across the bridge, bypassing at least three types of detection systems for thwarting illegal aliens and potential terrorists.
SECURITY BREACH
The boy was found safe and brought home about 90 minutes after he was reported missing. But his adventure will have U.S. officials scrambling for answers as to how a little boy wasn't noticed as he walked through a heavily watched and policed sector and into their country, which was on yellow alert status, the mid-point of a five-level security barometer.
No one on the U.S. side of the Whirlpool bridge would say anything yesterday about the security breach, although a customs and border protection public relations officer, Janet Rapaport in New York City, said she was seeking details of the incident.
Canada Customs spokesman Jean D'Amelio-Swyer said she wouldn't comment because "it's not my issue," and directed calls to U.S. authorities.
NABBED BY PASSERSBY
Mitchel walked about 9.5 km from the bridge before he was stopped by concerned passersby.
Niagara Falls, N.Y. Police Lieut. Sal Pino said he's curious how Mitchel beat heat sensors, video surveillance and motion detectors rigged on the bridges.
Mark Hernder said he was stunned by the news his son was found in the U.S.
"I don't know (how he did it). That's what's amazing, especially with all the money spent to beef up the border..."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.