Baby climbs over the White House security fence and sets off the alarm

A toddler alerted White House security officials. A “curious young visitor” spotted the security guards lining the fence around US President Joe Biden’s official residence, the Secret Service, which is responsible for Biden’s security, said on request Tuesday.

The child briefly entered the White House grounds and activated the security systems, it said. However, the little intruder was quickly reunited with his parents.

Time and time again, unauthorized persons manage to gain access to what is actually an extremely well-guarded building in the center of the American capital Washington. In 2017, a 26-year-old Californian climbed over the property’s fence at night and, according to media reports, managed to shake a door. It took the Secret Service 17 minutes to catch the intruder.

In 2014, an Iraqi veteran even managed to break into the White House after climbing the fence. The man was carrying a pocket knife with a four-inch blade. The then-head of the Secret Service resigned following the incident. The 43-year-old Texan was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Similar consequences are unlikely in the present case.

After the incidents in the past, the fencing around the site has been raised from over 2 meters to approximately 4 meters and fitted with new safety measures. It is not known whether, as a result of the recent break-in, consideration is being given to reducing the distances between the bars of the fence. (sda/dpa)