A FOUR-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl sparked a major search after slipping out of the school gates only to be found doing the weekly shop in a nearby supermarket.

Danika Brandon was due to be picked up by her father Patrick Brandon along with her twin sister Alexis at Etherley Lane Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday, September 26.

And despite Alexis making her way to her dad without a glitch, CCTV showed Danika losing sight of her dad and leaving the schoolyard by herself in the end of the day hustle and bustle.

Minutes later Mr Brandon raised the alarm and a search was started when staff realised the youngster, who only started the school four weeks ago, was not in the grounds.

 

ROUTE: Danika Brandon's half-a-mile route from her school to Morrisons, in Bishop Auckland

Danika's mother, Vikki Martin, who was ill at the time of the incident, said she shot out of bed to search for her daughter when contacted by her partner.

"Alexis had come out and was stood with her dad and they were just waiting and waiting on Danika," she said. "One of the teachers said she could have gone back to get her bag or that she'd probably gone to wash her hands."

She added: "Patrick phoned and said Danika has gone missing and I immediately jumped out of bed - I have never moved so fast in my life."

Miss Martin said Mr Brandon searched the school himself before staff began a wider search.

The Northern Echo:

MISSING: Four year old Danika Brandon with her twin sister Alexis Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The youngster was found food shopping in the Bishop Auckland Morrisons store, 45 minutes later.

Danika had walked the half-a-mile route herself and even stopped off to play in her local park on the way.

When she was found she had already loaded a full-size trolley with essential items such as brown buns and fruit and vegetables.

Miss Martin, 39, said she was shocked by how far her little girl had walked and that no one who saw her had asked why she was alone especially as she passed busy roads and lots of other parents and children making their way home from school.

"It beggar's belief the amount of people and parents she would have passed," she said. "She loves shopping so she's a typical woman there but she's not one for walking off."

The Northern Echo:

MISSING: Four year old Danika Brandon with her twin Alexis and parents Patrick Brandon and Vikki Martin Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

She added: "She's blonde, blue-eyed and gorgeous so we thought someone had snatched her or maybe one of the bigger children had taken her."

Once Danika was found she was quickly reunited with her family and her parents said they have been teaching her not to wander off again.

"We have been calling her Dora the Explore," she said.

The Bishop Auckland youngster is now back in school with her sister, where tighter measures have been introduced at home time to make sure the incident does not happen again.

Kelly-Ann Lee, headteacher of Etherley Lane Primary School, said a full investigation had been carried out and she wanted to reassure all parents and carers of the school's commitment to their children's safety.

She said: “The safety of our pupils is paramount and we have policies in place to ensure children are met by their parents and carers at the end of each school day.

“We have carried out a full investigation and have acted swiftly to tighten procedures around the supervision of children leaving school.

“We have spoken to Danika’s parents and have reassured all parents and carers of our commitment to their children’s safety.”