An Illinois daycare is currently under investigation after a toddler walked out of the building and was found by a woman who was walking down the street. A worker told the Good Samaritan that they were unaware that the toddler was missing.
RELATED STORIES: Day Care Worker Writes On Infant’s Stomach To Remind Mother To Bring Diapers
The incident took place last week on Dec. 1 when the 21-month-old toddler walked near the North Belt West in Belleville. The woman says she spotted the boy and asked around who was missing a child while holding him. “He was just standing there, just crying, and I picked him up like, ‘What’s wrong? Where’d you come from?’” she said. “And he just laid his head on me and I walked up and down the sidewalk, you know, I looked at each building. I’m like, ‘Anybody missing a baby?’” She told Fox2Now.
After contacting police, the woman said she noticed the house next door to her mother’s home had a playground in its backyard and entered the property asking if they were missing a toddler. “A daycare right here. So, I walk over there. I’m walking, a lady is coming up and I’m like, ‘Anybody missing a baby?’ So, I kept going,” and encountered a worker. The worker said they had no idea that the boy was missing.
RELATED STORIES: Daycare Owner Sentenced To 6 Years After Hiding 26 Kids Behind False Wall In Basement
Police charged the staff member with a misdemeanor for endangering the health and welfare of a child. Additionally, the center is under investigation by state child services.
The boy’s parents also said they want someone to take accountability for the incident.