13 yo boy runs away with horses, truck and trailer-- YIKES!

[KPF]

http://www.nbc12.com/global/story.asp?s=10120897

This happened in my local area (near Richmond, VA). Wow. :eek:

Wonder where he went? And whether he really knows how to drive the truck and trailer? I hope so for the horses' sakes.

Keep a lookout, fellow VA horse peeps!!!

[Thomas_1]

Blimey! How the world changes.

When I was 6 I went off on my bike with a suitcase containing 2 pairs of underpants, an apple and a bar of chocolate.

I wouldn't have been able to sit down for a month if I'd taken the horse!

[narcisco]

What an intrepid young man. I'm sure, growing up on the farm, he knows how to drive a truck and trailer. He didn't run away from home, he ran away WITH home.

I recall my run away at around that age. I was gone for a day and a night, and when I finally gave up and returned, no one realized I had ever left!

[Minerva Louise]

It kinda makes me wonder if something was going on, with regard to the handling of the animals (not to mention the kid), that the boy took his friends to get them away too... He could have left them all much more easily, but he didn't - must have felt he had to take them with him. If it was as isolated as the story claims, there could certainly been something bad that was going on but nobody noticed.

[bethechangexx]

Scary! Will pass it along to other Richmond folks.

[ManyDogs]

"Ran away" when I was 12 or 13....climbed a tree in the front yard and our dog sat at the base of it and barked. Dumb dog :lol:.

[amdfarm]

Oh man, if my son did that he would not see the light of day for a very long time!!

When he's caught, I wonder what his reason will be.

Hope they're safe, regardless.

WoW.

[Lilykoi]

What an adventure! Can't wait for an update.

[MistyBlue]

I ran away around the age of 8 I think. Because mom said I couldn't have a horse actually. Ran away with a sleeve of saltines, a banana and a flashlight wrapped in a hankie. Sat behind the garage imagining how horribly upset my family was at that moment and how they were crying and promising themselves that if I ever returned they'd go right out and get me a horse!
Came back in the house around 10 pm because the skeeters were eating me alive, mom slathered me with calamine lotion and sent me to bed all pasty pink and itchy and said, "We still can't afford a horse." :lol:

[KPF]

Yeah, Minerva, that's what I was thinking too. What concerns me is, at 13, could he possibly know how to drive that rig on the highway? It's a little different than driving it down the farm road. And I hope he took adequate supplies (feed, hay, water, first aid, etc.) for the animals.

Seems to me like he will probably be apprehended soon, sort of hard to be inconspicuous driving that rig. Unless maybe he just went to a campsite or another farm somewhere nearby. I just hope he and the horses (and dog) are safe.

[bort84]

My grandma ran away from home when she was seven because she wanted her dad to take her to see Roy Rogers (pretty sure that's who it was). Anyway, they lived on a farm, so she took her horse, Lady, and some food and ran away for the night out to the edge of their land.

Her dad came and found her on his horse and was very mad, but I guess he couldn't deny the sight of his cute, stubborn little girl with her horse and her overnight bag and ended up taking her to see Roy Rogers anyway = )

Then she ran away with Lady again in a couple of years because they had to move to town, and she didn't want to have to sell her = ( Aww. Anyway, happy ending because she started training horses when she was 16 and hasn't stopped since, haha.

I hope this boy and his animals make it okay. I'd guess he brought plenty of supplies (I was pretty level headed about my animals' care at that age), but I would be nervous about a 13 year old (even a tall one!) driving a rig on a highway! Hopefully he's sticking to the back roads, yikes! Bleh, I would never go back to being a teenager. I had some great friends and horse fun, but that is a TOUGH time.

[VAHorseGurl]

At 6 foot tall & 160lbs, I hardly doubt that the 'teen' doesn't know how to drive that truck and trailer. He was smart enough to take extra propane tanks and the family dog.

I understand where the neighbor is coming from, being isolated like that; but really, even isolation doesn't require you to take your families 2 horses and the family dog unless there is something very wrong happening in that home. :(

Do they have any ideas on which direction this young man headed? Any family elsewhere, school friends, anything at all?

I'll keep Wyatt in my prayers and hope for the very best for him.

[mr_miamis_mom]

I tried to run away when I was 7 and take my cat Puff with me. I filled a doll crib (it had wheels) with my suitcase, stuffed animals, some candy and some cat food. Puff wanted nothing to do with running away and would not stay in the crib with my stuff. I made it to the corner of our 1/4 acre property before the crib fell apart from all the stuff I had in there. Ended up in tears and having to get my Mom to help me carry all the stuff back.

I can't imagine how this kid had the gumption to run away with the truck, trailer, horses and dog in addition to camping supplies. Quite resourceful. I hope when he's found all the critters are ok and he isn't in too much legal trouble.

[RainyDayRide]

Better he solve whatever problems exist - or that he perceives to exist - by leaving with the critters he cares about rather than doing the 'exit with gun, taking others along' that too many have been doing lately.

With the supplies he took, he sounds as if he had an idea of camping out, laying low for a while. Given his size, I doubt if fellow drivers would look twice at him driving a rig.

May he and his friends find a soft landing.

[Eventer55]

I can't imagine what prompted this young man to do this, it's an act of desperation. He looks sad and disturbed in the photo. There are a lot of kids in not great home situations and the poster who ran away for two days and no one noticed. . . I can relate.

Even if you live in an isolated area, don't you take your kids to school functions, a friends house, or other social situations? Ugh, my heart is breaking.

[OnyxThePony]

All the best wishes for this young man.

[MHM]

Hope everything turns out OK.

It seems stupid to me that the news article didn't include a simple descprition of the rig- color, make of truck, etc. It would make it much easier for people in the area to keep an eye out for it.

[theoldgreymare]

It seems stupid to me that the news article didn't include a simple descprition of the rig- color, make of truck, etc. It would make it much easier for people in the area to keep an eye out for it.

My thoughts exactly. I hope he is found soon and able to work out whatever problems there are.

[seabreeze]

It kinda makes me wonder if something was going on, with regard to the handling of the animals (not to mention the kid), that the boy took his friends to get them away too... He could have left them all much more easily, but he didn't - must have felt he had to take them with him. If it was as isolated as the story claims, there could certainly been something bad that was going on but nobody noticed.

I can't imagine what prompted this young man to do this, it's an act of desperation. He looks sad and disturbed in the photo. There are a lot of kids in not great home situations and the poster who ran away for two days and no one noticed. . . I can relate.

Even if you live in an isolated area, don't you take your kids to school functions, a friends house, or other social situations? Ugh, my heart is breaking.

Or maaaayyyyyybeeeeee...the kids's a resourceful spoiled brat who ran up against the word "no" and is going to show his parents who's who.

My point??? WE DON'T KNOW and it is STUPID to speculate.

[eventchic33]

The truck and trailer are in the video. Big rig for a young boy to handle. Hope all is safe and sound in the end.

[DiablosHalo]

Maybe they did not put the color, make, model of rig in the news bc they wouldn't want a bunch of crazies knowing that the kid driving that rig into that campsite/gas station/highway is only 13 and a runaway! Maybe they did it on purpose for his safety?!?

[RxCate]

It said in the article what kind of truck it was and there is a picture of it and the rig.

[MHM]

Maybe they did not put the color, make, model of rig in the news bc they wouldn't want a bunch of crazies knowing that the kid driving that rig into that campsite/gas station/highway is only 13 and a runaway! Maybe they did it on purpose for his safety?!?

Either they want the help of the public to find him or they don't. If they want help, which is what the article said, they should provide the information (color/make) that would make it easy to spot the rig.

Not everybody will watch the video. I didn't.

Hope he and the animals turn up safe and sound.

[DiablosHalo]

Ah! Did not see that lil pic! I should revise my post to say they should not have put a pic on there as there are people out there that prey on weak and nieve. I hope I'm over-reacting. I hope he's okay...

[Sugarbrook]

If anyone in the Richmond area gets more information please post it. This is quite unusual. At some point he is going to have to unload the horses (you'd think, right?) and how about water for them? I wonder if he headed to a friends house, but wouldnt you think the friends parents would ask questions??

[DeeThbd]

I tried to run away when I was 7 and take my cat Puff with me. I filled a doll crib (it had wheels) with my suitcase, stuffed animals, some candy and some cat food. Puff wanted nothing to do with running away and would not stay in the crib with my stuff. I made it to the corner of our 1/4 acre property before the crib fell apart from all the stuff I had in there. Ended up in tears and having to get my Mom to help me carry all the stuff back.

I can't imagine how this kid had the gumption to run away with the truck, trailer, horses and dog in addition to camping supplies. Quite resourceful. I hope when he's found all the critters are ok and he isn't in too much legal trouble.

I sure hope they find this young man and the horses safe and sound.
Miami - I like the quote on the bottom of your page - I'm going to audit one of his clinics on Sunday!
Dee

[Walk_N_Gal88]

Hope the kid's okay, and his buddies too. I wouldn't worry too much though. Several of my friends have been hauling their parent's rigs since they were much younger, whether it was just around the place or on the road.

[Ibex]

Does anyone else think "illicit camping/hunting" trip???

13yos aren't really known for thinking through the reprecussions of their actions. Kid knows parent would say no, so just don't ask! He may have no idea that the police are hunting for him.

I'm impressed he had enough forethought to pack that well, but hoping he's found quickly and safely.

[webmistress32]

I am thinking "parents were getting ready to sell the kid's horses"

[shakeytails]

He looks sad and disturbed in the photo.

HUH? To me he just looks slightly annoyed at having his picture snapped.

I can't figure out why people are jumping to conclusions that the boy's home life sucks. He's probably just an average kid that decided for some stupid reason to pull a dumb-ass stunt like this.

[kmp2707]

I found this update:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/BOYGAT03_20090403-134211/248275/

[Carrera]

Thanks for finding the update

[KPF]

Dang, he made it all the way to Texas???!!! He must be a helluva driver for a 13 year old... wow. :eek: Wonder if he was trying to get to Mexico???

[MHM]

I found this update:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/BOYGAT03_20090403-134211/248275/

Holy cow. He got a long way in one day. Guess that answers the question of whether he knows how to drive the rig. I wonder where he got all that gas money?

Hope there is a good resolution.

[mjrtango93]

Holy cow. He got a long way in one day. Guess that answers the question of whether he knows how to drive the rig. I wonder where he got all that gas money?

Hope there is a good resolution.

I was wondering the same thing about the gas money. He must have cash because any credit or debit card can be traced by police and they would know who it was. How did he get the horses across all those state lines?

[MHM]

How did he get the horses across all those state lines?

Florida is the only state line that I'm aware of where you need to stop when you enter with horses. There is an ag station where you need to show a Coggins and health certificate on each horse.

I don't know about every state in the country, but I've driven through every state on the east coast with horses, no problem.

[2 tbs]

Well, he'd only have to worry about state lines if he got caught ;) If he stayed around the speed limit and drove senisbly I'm sure no one would bother him...and apparently didn't!

I'm also sure state troopers were not looking for him outside his immediate area but now I'm sure all state officials acoss the whole country will be on the look out! If he went to TX who knows where he's ultimately headed! Mexico seems a likely option but since this kid has been so smart already, I'm sure he'll think twice about crossing into another country...then again, who knows!

I'm also hoping for a good outcome. Seems he's very knowlegeable and smart enough to at least be safe (getting gas, made it to TX without trouble etc) so I hope when he's finally caught he can sort out whatever reason he had for leaving in the first place. I'm not sure I think his reasons were necessarily driven from the negative. For all we know maybe this kid has grand plans of being a rodeo star or something! Whatever the reason is, I hope he can be happy going back home.

[mjrtango93]

Florida is the only state line that I'm aware of where you need to stop when you enter with horses. There is an ag station where you need to show a Coggins and health certificate on each horse.

I don't know about every state in the country, but I've driven through every state on the east coast with horses, no problem.

Oh state lines are different your way then. We have to stop at all borders out west for Ag check. Sometimes they are closed and you can just keep going, but if they are open....you better stop. We got chased down the Interstate crossing into Arizona because the sign said livestock had to stop, but horses aren't considered livestock in CA, there is a seperate sign for horses. We got chased down the freeway by the ag inspector and Highway Patrol with them on foot. Fun times I tell you, fun times.

[2 tbs]

Oh state lines are different your way then. We have to stop at all borders out west for Ag check. Sometimes they are closed and you can just keep going, but if they are open....you better stop.

Wow. Then I guess he got super lucky!! Unless he's travelling with someone else??? I wonder if he picked up an adult along the way and that person is helping him out??

[EponaRoan]

According to the story linked in the first post, he's been reunited with his parents.

http://www.nbc12.com/global/story.asp?s=10120897

Virginia State Police say Wyatt McLaughlin, 13, was found by his parents at a rodeo in Texas.
McLaughlin was unharmed and his parents say they had visited the rodeo outside Weatherford before.

[2 tbs]

According to the story linked in the first post, he's been reunited with his parents.

http://www.nbc12.com/global/story.asp?s=10120897


Ah! See!!! He went to the rodeo! Now, was that his final destination? Who knows but I'm glad he's back with his parents!

[mjrtango93]

You have to give props to the kid for getting the truck, trailer, and horses from Virginia to Texas and to show up at a rodeo they had been to before safe and sound and in good time! Sounds like he just wanted to go to the rodeo.

[SLW]

Looks like they found the young man and rig down in Texas at a rodeo.

[MHM]

Phew! Glad they found him in one piece.

I've driven that far with horses and a dog, but not at that age!!! :lol:

[goeslikestink]

"Ran away" when I was 12 or 13....climbed a tree in the front yard and our dog sat at the base of it and barked. Dumb dog :lol:.

now thats funny haha

[Thomas_1]

He did a lot better than me. I got to the top of Rosedale Chimney Bank on the way to Hutton le Hole. It's a 3 in 1 hill up. I was so nackered, I sat down ate my apple and chocolate and then returned home.

[RainyDayRide]

If you google the kid's name, you'll see that he's been involved in rodeo in jr competitions himself. He clearly knew how to handle that rig.

Guess he went off to join the rodeo - western version of running off to join the circus? Glad he's safe and the crew are safe. Bet they're going to have a .. hmm... interesting drive back to VA.

(I'm glad he was running to something - not away.)

[~DressageJunkie~]

I'm sure parents said no to the rodeo for whatever reason (grades, attitude, ect) and he packed up and left. Doesn't surprise me that he could drive that rig, my ex did all the high school rodeos and he was pulling trailers at that age, in fact that article reminded me of him.

[MistyBlue]

I'm impressed as heck that he could FIND TX from VA. I probably couldn't. :lol:
Now that is one serious little competitor! Probably a very "grounded til you're 30" one too. :winkgrin:
Gorgeous truck.

[Czar]

He did a lot better than me. I got to the top of Rosedale Chimney Bank on the way to Hutton le Hole. It's a 3 in 1 hill up. I was so nackered, I sat down ate my apple and chocolate and then returned home.

Ha!

I ran away every other day as a kid usually in response to some perceived slight.

I remember the last time, my indignant 11 yr old self, huffing down the dirt road - I made it to "The Big Tree" when my dad pulled up beside me and said "Get in the car". It wasn't a request. I never ran away again after that :lol:

I just think it's funny that the kid took the dog :lol:

[2 tbs]

I just think it's funny that the kid took the dog :lol:

Every cowboy needs his trusty steed and hard workin' cattle dog :D

Seriously though, this kid obviously had a mission or you'd think he'd just ride the horse and have the dog follow...probably like many trail rides before. Loading the trailer with the horses, dog, and supplies...he was goin' all out!

[tx3dayeventer]

Florida is the only state line that I'm aware of where you need to stop when you enter with horses. There is an ag station where you need to show a Coggins and health certificate on each horse.

I don't know about every state in the country, but I've driven through every state on the east coast with horses, no problem.

You can drive from TX to VA without ever having to stop with health papers, IF you avoid Kentucky! You must show papers in KY but no other states. The drive isn't that bad as I did it alone as a 17 yr old.

Lots of great rodeos in Texas and especially in the Weatherford area. I live about 45 minutes south of there. LOTS of rodeo people, cutters and reiners!!!

[MHM]

You must show papers in KY but no other states.

Really? I've gone through Kentucky a few times with horses. I never stopped to show anyone any paperwork at the state line. Huh- maybe I just got lucky!

[Calamber]

I find this unreal that a child of 13 would feel as though he could take a truck and trailer (probably valued at something like $25,000 - $40,000, plus the horses, plus propane, plus some "extras" for gas money and people think he is uh "intrepid" or "inventive". This is a young man who has a serious lack of respect and judging by the picture, a very indifferent and hostile attitude about some important core values. If a child of mine did that (parents pretty much knew where he went as they found him quickly), he would be working off the value of the miles he put on that vehicle for a good long while to come, get some attitude adjustment about cause and effect (imagine the anxiety that the parents went through) plus get some serious counseling for the whole family.:no: Isolated or not, what the heck, it's not like he ran off for a mission of mercy, to help a sick friend, or went to defend his country, for crying out loud, he went to a rodeo!

[mcm7780]

This story is now one of the featured news stories on Yahoo.com. :lol:

[MHM]

What picture are you guys looking at?!?

I just see a picture of a kid- I can't read his personality or life story from that one picture.

The story was up on AOL too.

[MelantheLLC]

They'd probably told him he couldn't go cause he hadn't gotten his grades or something...

Kinda like me, the day I didn't clean my room, under warning that if I didn't I couldn't go to the church group that night.

Well, I didn't, I was grounded, but I stormed out and in a huff -- I was maybe 7 -- and started walking to church about 3 miles away in the dark. I saw my parents' car cruising by several times too!

Eventually I was "found" in the first row of the church meeting hall, and quietly escorted home.

Pretty rowdy huh!

[Mozart]

Wow. Determined kid. A kid like that will either end up behind bars or running a major corporation. Well, maybe first one and then the other. ;)

[QHmom]

From what we heard( from a friend of his) the kid was miffed at parents. He is a regular on the Va circuit. I hope they tanned his hide or make slave labor a regular part of life...oh a counselor or anger management....

[tx3dayeventer]

Really? I've gone through Kentucky a few times with horses. I never stopped to show anyone any paperwork at the state line. Huh- maybe I just got lucky!

Could have changed. Its been about 5 years since I have driven through it. I thought we had to show our papers, maybe not :confused: Maybe it was just during the vasticular stometitius (sp?) outbreak that happened in like 1998, why I remember that I am not sure :D

[Parker_Rider]

Really? I've gone through Kentucky a few times with horses. I never stopped to show anyone any paperwork at the state line. Huh- maybe I just got lucky!

Same here, and I just drove through (twice.. well, technically three times, but once w/o horses) last August with two loads. From SC to CO you don't have to show papers anywhere... including KY, in my experience. Same thing with GA and Mississippi (shows). So I bet it'd be fairly easy to jet from VA to TX without having to stop...

[Chief2]

Wow. Determined kid. A kid like that will either end up behind bars or running a major corporation. Well, maybe first one and then the other. ;)

In this economy, it's usually the second, and THEN the first! :lol::lol:

Oh, I wouldn't be so fast to toss the whole family into therapy. If your kid ran away to a hunter/jumper show or a dressage show would you put the whole family into therapy? There may be a few things missing in the kid's makeup, but overall, there are lot of components in place that put him way ahead of the pack. I mean, yes, I think he may run a little hot in the "I'm gonna do" department, but I would be more interested in knowing just how well he really thought this thing out up to getting to the rodeo.

Did he load up hay and take food for the horses and the dog? That gets major points for responsibility. I know 13 year old's who can't even remember to feed their own horse when they are at home, let alone on the road. Did he take a water bucket for each horse and a bowl for the dog? More points. Did he make sure each horse had the appropriate saddle and tack? More points. Did he have his rodeo clothes, his event vest, his hat, AND were his jeans starched and pressed? More points. Did he have money for his entry fees, and did he pack a sandwich or a lunch for himself? Obviously he fueled up the truck and checked the hitch as they all got there safely. Frankly, minus the permission issue, the only thing I can see he didn't do was leave a note on the kitchen table before he left. Really, this plan of action is very well thought out, and may not have been as hot headed as it appears. Just determined. He could very well wind up being the next marine commander of your son or daughter's platoon someday!

How many parents have to chase after and nag their teens and t'weens every step of the way just to get to a day show, load the horses for them, and then scoop the poop out of the trailer for them and nag them to put away their gear once they get home from the show? This kid is way ahead of the curve, and I'll bet his parents packed every inch of knowledge and responsibility into him themselves. Really, I think his parents have done one heck of a job packing that into him. If they can just get a handle on the "I'm gonna do" part, they'll have one heck of a stellar adult in the long run.

Long and loud clapping for the kid! :)

[ayrabz]

"Long and loud clapping for the kid" ??????:eek:
Are you KIDDING me???

No wonder he thought it was ok to do.

I live in Virginia...it was a chance that 13 yr old driver with that dangerous and heavy rig could have made a mistake that cost his family a tragedy as well as many other families!

good grief.

[Chief2]

That's a chance anyone who drives a rig takes, kid or adult, and in most cases, it's the adult that turns the thing over on the interstate or runs the red light and gets hit in the intersection. Accidents happen regardless of who is behind the wheel. There is no age limit on it. In his case, all arrived safe and sound. I think the kid did just fine.

[ayrabz]

unbelievable.

[Equitate.]

Long and loud clapping for the kid! :)

EXCEPT for the fact that he is driving without a license, or permit, in a big rig, packed with his pets, probably on highways!

Very resourceful kid. It sounds like he took adequate provisions for all the animals. Hope it ends well for all.
But Man, If I ever did anything like that my parents would have probably sold both my horses out from under me and given away the dog, and probably send me off to reform school before I could even explain myself.

[Ibex]

I think it's possible to be impressed he pulled that off and think he should be grounded for life at the same time :lol:

Seriously, that photo was cropped from a group shot. I think we ALL have a few pics where we look a bit "off". I don't get where "therapy" comes in, unless there's more to it than we're hearing. Grounded and put into forced labour, I understand. :cool:

[JanWeber]

You know, you never REALLY know what is happening in family life (with a child, a husband, a wife) - unless you're part of it. Don't be so quick to judge. My hope is that whatever the reason was, it has now made school officials, etc. aware that there are some issues SOMEWHERE in the family - with the kid, with the parents, with who knows. And just maybe, some responsible and caring adult will become involved in creating functional family dynamics. As someone who survived a bleak childhood, I have been the "go-to" person for my kids' friends who sometimes needed adult perspective - and as I said, you on the outside never REALLY know...

[MHM]

I think it's possible to be impressed he pulled that off and think he should be grounded for life at the same time :lol:



ITA. I was actually driving through Virginia on Wednesday, before this story hit the news. Maybe I passed him on the highway, who knows? I'm just glad he didn't run me (or anyone else) off the road.

Does anyone know if he's really good at whatever he does at the rodeos? I wonder if 10-15 years down the road, if he turns out to be the next Ty Murray, people will be telling this story as an early sign of his future world domination. I can just imagine those guys on ESPN repeating it a thousand times. :lol:

[RainyDayRide]

I think it's possible to be impressed he pulled that off and think he should be grounded for life at the same time :lol:


I'm with you on that...

I also wonder if the kid had been behind the wheel - with his parents on board - before on segments of their previous trips to Texas rodeos. I know that kids learn to drive early in the country, but having long distance driving skills, over varying roads, varying speeds, navigating at the same time for significant mileage in a relatively short period of time - doing all of this in a manner that didn't attract attention from other drivers or LE - just seems a stretch beyond motoring down to the feed store and back with a load.