Brett Epstein told The Santa Clarita Valley Signal that he was shocked to learn from his nanny that his young son was found wandering alone near a McDonald’s restaurant.
The area is located across busy McBean Parkway, meaning the child had to cross at least one major intersection to reach the shopping plaza.
Mother Describes a Terrifying Situation
Oliver’s mother, Natalie, explained to KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell that the traffic between Copperhill and McBean is fast and dangerous.
She said her son was in tears when he was found, calling the situation “heartbreaking” and extremely distressing for any parent.
Parents Question After-School Supervision
When the couple contacted the after-school staff to ask where their son was, they were reportedly assured he was still on school grounds—even though he had already walked off campus.
Natalie expressed her frustration, saying it ultimately fell on them to locate their child on the street while the staff mistakenly believed he was still present.
Family Pulls Child From Program
Following the incident, Brett and Natalie removed Oliver from the after-school program entirely. Brett emphasized that serious improvements are needed to ensure the safety of students, pointing out that the situation clearly exposed major gaps in supervision.
Parents Fear Worst-Case Scenarios
The couple admitted they were terrified imagining what could have happened—whether their child could have been struck by a vehicle or encountered someone with harmful intentions.
Brett added that the incident proves that “obvious safety measures” are missing, despite the school knowing what changes are necessary.
Requested Safety Improvements at the School
The parents hope the school district will make immediate updates, such as:
- Increasing staff members in after-school programs
- Keeping campus gates locked at all times
- Installing additional security cameras to monitor students more effectively
KTLA has reached out to the Saugus Unified School District for comment, but the network has not yet received a response.
This frightening incident has sparked serious concerns about after-school safety procedures and highlighted significant gaps in campus supervision.
Oliver’s parents believe the school must take stronger action to protect children, ensuring that no other family has to endure the fear and uncertainty they experienced that day.
Their call for improved staffing, tighter security, and better monitoring reflects a broader need for schools to prioritize the safety of every child under their care.
