12-year-old boy spends FOUR DAYS in Bali after boarding a Jetstar flight to Indonesia with ease

A 12-year-old boy managed to foil police, customs and international airlines when he bought himself a one-way ticket to Bali and ran away from home ‘on an adventure’.

The young boy, who goes by the name of Drew, packed up and left his Sydney home following a heated argument with his mum.

Hijacking the family credit card, Drew booked himself a flight to Denpasar, Bali – first with Garuda airlines and then, when that failed, with Qantas.

A 12-year-old boy by the name of Drew managed to run away to Denpasar, Bali after having a heated argument with his mum

‘I went to the airport, and the crew wouldn’t let me on… cause I didn’t have documents from mum or dad,’ he told A Current Affair.

It was only once Drew went to Jetstar that he managed to book his international ticket and make it through the airport unchecked.

This despite the Australian Federal Police’s assurances that he was on their radar and wouldn’t be allowed to leave. 

‘When the first attempt to Indonesia took place, we were told his passport was going to be flagged,’ said his mother, Emma, while his nan was being assured that ‘It just wouldn’t happen: he wouldn’t get past any of the airport personnel to get overseas.’

After being stopped with two other airlines, Drew eventually found success when he booked his international flight through Jetstar

After being stopped with two other airlines, Drew eventually found success when he booked his international flight through Jetstar

He flew to Denpasar vie Perth - where airport personnel asked for his passport and student ID, to confirm that he was in secondary school, before allowing him to board

He flew to Denpasar vie Perth – where airport personnel asked for his passport and student ID, to confirm that he was in secondary school, before allowing him to board

The discount flights took young Drew to Perth first, where he then transferred into the international departures lounge and was indeed checked by airport personnel.

‘They just asked for my student ID and passport,’ he said. ‘To prove that I’m in a secondary school.’

And with that, Drew found himself on a flight to Denpasar.

After touching down in the rowdy tourist town, the 12-year-old runaway checked himself into the All Seasons Hotel, where he’d stayed on previous family vacations.

Then he hired himself a motorcycle, again with minimal questions as to his age or driving qualifications.

Upon arriving in Denpasar, Drew booked himself into the All Seasons Hotel, where he had stayed with his family on previous vacations

Upon arriving in Denpasar, Drew booked himself into the All Seasons Hotel, where he had stayed with his family on previous vacations

He spent four days in Denpasar: renting a motorcycle, lounging on the beach and, at one point, buying himself a beer

He spent four days in Denpasar: renting a motorcycle, lounging on the beach and, at one point, buying himself a beer

For the next four days Drew roamed the streets of Denpasar: shopping, lounging on the beach and, at one point, buying himself a beer.

All the while ignoring the numerous texts and calls from his worried parents back home.

But it was when Drew posted a video of himself backflipping into the hotel pool that the jig was well and truly up.

His mum discovered his location and instantly informed the AFP, who got in touch with the local chief police commissioner.

‘I just went to the beach and then by the time I got back the consulate was there’ said Drew. 

‘[So] I said I was going to go get my stuff from the room and then I locked myself in the room.’

Police were forced to unscrew the windows of the hotel to finally catch the elusive fugitive – and his parents were instructed to sit tight while their son was brought home to them. 

His mother (pictured) eventually discovered Drew's location and contacted the authorities to have him retrieved

His mother (pictured) eventually discovered Drew’s location and contacted the authorities to have him retrieved

When the consulate arrived at Drew's hotel he locked himself in his room - forcing them to unscrew the windows and get him

When the consulate arrived at Drew’s hotel he locked himself in his room – forcing them to unscrew the windows and get him

But Drew hadn’t broken any Indonesian laws, and no one had the right to arrest him or escort him to the airport for deportation.

‘The AFP said we only had 24 hours otherwise they’ll let him go, cause legally in Indonesian law he has done nothing wrong’ said Emma.

‘We were a mess – you’ve got a child who’s in Indonesia by himself, who’s as savvy as him riding motorbikes, organising his own little life over there.’

Emma and Drew’s father rushed to Indonesia to retrieve him, also flying to Bali via Perth – where they were stonewalled by airport personnel for not having a return ticket.  

‘That’s when my former partner said ‘Well how did my 12-year-old son get on a flight without being questioned, and you’re questioning us as adults?” said Emma.

Drew's parents flew to Bali to collect him - but they are furious that it got to that stage without anybody having stopped their young son

Drew’s parents flew to Bali to collect him – but they are furious that it got to that stage without anybody having stopped their young son

They eventually managed to board their flight, making it to Denpasar and retrieving their rogue child.  

But Drew’s parents are furious that their son was able to make it overseas so easily in the first place. 

‘He was never flagged – they never done their job. If they’d done their job this wouldn’t have happened,’ said his mother.

‘So easily fooling Australian police, customs, everyone. What about those other kids that have gone underage? What about child trafficking?

‘We still are in shock, we sit here just thinking how did this happen considering we screamed, we begged for help.’



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