11-year-old autistic boy left alone in Uber with dad’s phone while parents slept—the call that followed left them traumatized but relieved
The panic of realizing a child is missing is something no parent is prepared for. Parents Tenesha and Jamel Johnson experienced that fear after discovering their 11-year-old son, Josiah, was missing from their house early in the morning. As reported by PEOPLE, security footage later showed the autistic boy leaving home alone with a suitcase and getting into an Uber waiting outside. The incident happened on Sunday, June 28, 2026, leaving the family desperately searching for answers before they learned where he had gone.
After checking their Ring camera, the parents watched Josiah walk up to the waiting vehicle and ask, “Hi. Are you the Uber?” before getting inside. They immediately began searching for him while trying to understand where he had gone. In the middle of the frightening ordeal, Jamel called his missing phone, only to have Port Authority Police answer. Officers informed him that an Uber had dropped Josiah at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, where he had reached the TSA line before being stopped because he did not have a ticket. Later, Josiah explained that he wanted to travel to the Japanese city of Fukuyama.
Although the family felt relieved that Josiah was safe, the experience left them deeply traumatized. Airport staff found him wandering through the terminal alone before contacting police, who made sure he was medically checked and reunited him with his father. His mother questioned why a driver would allow someone who clearly “looks like a child” to travel alone without raising concerns.
The incident emphasizes how greater awareness can make a difference when children with additional support needs are involved. The parents also pointed out that Uber's own policy does not allow unaccompanied minors to use the service. Uber later said it was concerned about the incident and relieved that Josiah had been safely reunited with his family.
The company also stated that it had been in contact with the Johnsons and noted that riders must be at least 18 years old or travel with an adult unless using an approved teen account. The family hopes their experience encourages more caution from rideshare drivers and greater awareness among parents. Jamel stressed, “This could happen to you,” while urging companies to be more mindful before allowing young passengers into their vehicles.
He also thanked the airport staff, TSA personnel, first responders, and Port Authority Police for acting quickly. For Tenesha, the emotional impact remained long after her son returned home. Holding back tears during a conversation with News 12, she described it as “a feeling I wouldn't want any other mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, uncle to ever experience.”
Being a responsible rideshare driver is equally important in helping prevent dangerous situations. In another incident, one driver demonstrated exactly that by refusing to take a family of five in a four-seater vehicle. When the child's mother insisted, “It’s my child, I’m willing to risk it,” the driver still declined, explaining that it was unsafe. They later canceled the ride, reported the incident to Uber, and believed it was important to raise it because another driver could have been asked to do the same thing.