I agree with the previous posts. There should be a ZERO exception to this. There is NO excuse why 5 employees missed this child. What were all 5 of them doing that not one of them noticed?? YES, I am VERY well aware of the effort it takes to send children on field trips....including special needs children, as I myself have a special needs child (that attends a New Hanover County school) She has been on SEVERAL field trips with a higher than 12 count and the supervision was top notch! Every head counted SEVERAL times during the trip. I am sure there are 5 county residents with the credentials to have their positions with the way the economy is. Wonder how they would feel if it were their child?? Thank GOD a citizen noticed the child got left. Or we could of been reading a different news story. The school board should NOT let them return. Is this a message we will send that it is ok to leave a child behind? No worries you might lose a few days pay....but that child COULD OF LOST HIS LIFE!!!