[AaronInCarolina]

I was worried that the poor boy had been accosted by the scout leader ( what a crazy world that I would even think that) I am so thankful he is allright. I have a 12 yr. old grandson and can't help but think how scared he would be.

Thank You Lord

I had the same fear. And that raises a very important issue which will no-doubt become more vocalized now that he is safe (Thank and Praise God!). Boy Scouts of America rules prohibit ever allowing an adult leader to be alone with a scout. It is one of the most fundamental rules of scouting. It's called "2-deep Leadership" and it protects the child as well as the adult. It demands that there always be 2 adults minimum present with a child. In reality, it legally protects the BSA more than anything else. But in cases such as this one, it would have made it less likely that the child could have wandered off un-noticed, and it would have largely prevented suspicions such as the ones you and I had. I suspect that law-suits will come out of this that could have been avoided if 2-deep leadership had been complied with.

[txrangerette]

I realize a scout should not be alone with a scout leader.

In this case, those who have informed the public since he disappeared have repeatedly explained that the entire group was together, having just finished eating lunch, when Michael wandered off. They had returned from their hike from which Michael and the scout leader abstained.

So the broken rule...if this account is correct that makes it appear a rule was broken...did not cause or allow Michael to go missing. He went missing after leaving the entire group that had just eaten together.