Runaway

[scott23]

9-year old Semaj Booker doesn't like Lakewood, just outside of Tacoma, Washington, where his parents recently moved. So, he decided that he would go to his Grandfathers house. The only problem is that his Grandfather lives in Dallas.

Semaj has a history of running away from home and for stealing cars (remember folks, this is a 9-year old we are talking about!). He was somehow able to talk his way onto a Southwest Airlines flight that left the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and headed for San Antonio, Texas.

The airline issued a statement saying that the boy asked for a boarding pass because his Mother had already in the boarding area. "The young man's information matched a paid, ticketless reservation for the flight. Based on the information he gave us, he was issued a boarding pass," the airline said. He was not listed as a child because he told the agent he was 12 years old, Southwest said.

Fortunately, airline employees in San Antonio were actually on the ball and they stopped Semej from boarding another flight. The fourth-grader remains in juvenile custody in San Antonio.

As mentioned earlier, Semaj also likes to steal cars. Just last Sunday, he stole a car that was left running outside of his neighbours house. Police pursued him on to a higihway where he hit speeds of up to 90 mph. The car's engine finally blew and the car coasted over a curb and into a tree. However Semaj would not get out of the car so officers broke a window to unlock a door and immediately recognized him as a frequent runaway and car thief.

Age 9, known to police.

Last month, the boy crashed a stolen car before being caught by police in Tacoma, and more recently he was caught in Seattle in a stolen car that had run out of gas, said his mother, Sakinah Booker. She believes he learned to drive from playing video games on a PlayStation. Semaj was "incredibly motivated to get to Texas," Guttu said. "He doesn't want to live in Washington state."

What a prize this one is. At age 9 and doing all this, what do you do with him?

[whyman]

What a multitalented Kid. I'd probably try to set him back on the traight and narrow, but try to embrace his talents. Call me crazy but someone like that would be great in the army.

[kmten]

I think this kid needs a psychiatrist and has to be given more attention and emotional support. I think he's just disturbed and therefore needs more understanding and affection from the people around him.

[mari10]

Usually, kids with that kind of behavior have problems with their families.