I get the feeling they weren't that conscientious in the past. I think it's something they agreed to collectively say to the media because the mother's radio interview (BEFORE the amber alert) she clearly states that Ariel often times walked there alone, especially in summer, the interviewer even asked her twice and she said yes, that the weather was nice that day and she told him it was okay for him to walk there, that Ariel was so excited and happy she agreed. I don't blame them though, last thing they need is parent shaming at the moment, what I'm worried about is if they told LE the truth about that. Because there is a big different between a boy who is used to walking the same path many times and a boy who isn't. Like someone might have been watching his comings and goings.
No drop in at my elementary school either on ped days. You have to reserve the time in advance. I think she might have special privileges since she's the educator though. Yeah she seemed to say, well because the two older daughters had to go to high school he came with me that day. Shouldn't this have been planned for weeks? Unless the school sent a last minute notice telling parents they will add an extra day to march break. Maybe Ismael forgot to tell his mother Ariel was coming? I don't know. All I know is that it's weird for such conscientious parents to let their kid walk alone on a day they both are gone from home? I can't imagine being gone at work and letting my 10 year old walk alone somewhere, I would want to be home with a phone ready to make sure he got there okay.
Also didn't the parents know that Ismael's mom is an educator and wouldn't be home that day since it's ped day ? I find the whole thing strange.
What I remember reading in the first day was that the neighbor saw the boy knock at the door around 11 am.