Community buys family of boy forced to eat behind a screen a new van

Remember the kid who was forced to sit behind a screen because he was late to school?

Well, his local community has rallied round and bought his parents a new van.

Hunter Cmelo was punished at Lincoln Elementary school in Grants Pass, Oregon, despite his lateness being out of his control.

Local DJ Bill Meyer decided he would act and people responded to his plea for help.

A 2001 Chrysler minivan was donated by Rapid Repo and Collections and dealership owner Lisa McClease-Kelly did $1,400 of maintenance work.

Mr Meyer told ABC News: ‘This family never asked for the help. All they ever wanted was to change the school policy. We saw a way to do a little nudge, and then everyone else came in with their time and generosity.’

Hunter Cmelo and his family with their new minivan (Picture: Lisa McClease-Kelly)

Hunter’s parents made him late for school so he was punished (Picture: Facebook)

Hunter’s grandmother posted on Facebook a picture of him sitting alone behind a screen at lunchtime saying: ‘This is my grandson, Hunter. He’s a little first grader.

‘His momma’s car sometimes doesn’t like to start right up. Sometimes he’s a couple of minutes late to school.

‘Yesterday, he was 1 minute late and this is what his momma discovered they do to punish him! They have done this to him 6 times for something that is out of his control! They make a mockery of him in front of the other students.’

Hunter’s mother, Nicole Garloff, said she was late because of car troubles (Picture: Facebook)

A district spokesman said: ‘As a result of the conces raised, the district ended the leaing catch-up location at Lincoln Elementary School.

‘Going forward, a separate, supervised classroom has been designated for necessary catch-up work.

Hunter hasn’t been late since.