13-Year Old Boy Flies to California, Dad Doesn’t Notice

I have always been very much intrigued by morons. For some reason, anytime I hear about someone doing something beyond stupid, it fascinates me. This story is no different.

Keep in mind, I am not talking about your typical, everyday morons who occasionally lock their keys in their car or accidentally place the remote control in the fridge. I’m talking about people who possibly need to be imprisoned due to their stupidity.

Last week, a south Florida 13-year old named Kenton Weaver decided he needed a vacation. So he hopped into his dad’s car. After having swiped his dad’s credit card, drove 30 miles to the Fort Lauderdale airport and successfully boarded a plane to California.

Young Kenton was finally noticed at a ticket counter in California before the authorities were notified. The boy flew to Cali, apparently because his mom lives there. Kenton was then taken to an uncle’s house, there is no word yet on if he will return to Florida. The story sounds pretty incredible, but there’s more.

Kenton not only managed to take his dad’s credit card, take his car, and board a plane by himself, despite not having an ID, but Kenton is also autistic. Most autistic kids I know, or have heard of, need a certain amount of supervision, but the fact Kenton is autistic makes this story even more incredible to me. I have absolutely no problem with the kid in this situation. Kenton wanted to get on a plane and head to Cali, and he made it happen. Massive props to him for that.

My issue is with pretty much everyone else involved. To be fair, airport and transportation regulations specify anyone under 18 only needs a boarding pass to get on a plane. I want to try to be as fair and serious as possible, as this is could have been a much more dire situation, however I have several questions:

1) Seeing as how most people carry their credit cards in their wallet or on them in some capacity, HOW DID HE SUCCESSFULLY TAKE HIS DAD’S CREDIT CARD WITHOUT BEING NOTICED?!?!?!?

2) I’m 25 years old and to this day, if I even make a move towards my dad’s car keys, he’ll grab my hand and ask what the hell I think I’m doing? With that in mind, HOW DID HE SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRE HIS DAD’S CAR KEYS, THEN DRIVE 30 MILES WITHOUT BEING NOTICED?!?!?!?

3) The last time I flew was in May 2007 so pardon me if things have changed since. But every and each time I presented my boarding pass, the employees would give me a look, as if to make sure I was fit to fly. Having said that, HOW DID HE BOARD A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITHOUT ANY SORT OF QUESTIONING?!?!?!?

4) Finally, from everything I’ve read, the boy was finally “caught” by a ticket counter attendant at the California airport where Kenton landed. This last question is directed at Kenton’s dad (who I have already pegged as the favorite for 2009 Father of the Year), WHAT WERE YOU DOING WHILST ALL THIS HAPPENED?!??!?!?

Loyal Pinkie readers, I beg you, do not be this stupid with your kids.

CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY FROM SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE