New Jersey

NJ Toddler Leaves Daycare Center Unnoticed, Walks Home: Mom

A New Jersey toddler wandered out of his daycare center and walked home without employees noticing, his astonished mother complained Friday.

Yomara Ortiz said she dropped off her 3-year-old son Dariell at KinderWorld EduCare Center in Hamilton, New Jersey, as she does every day. Not long after arriving at her job, a family member called to say that Dariell suddenly appeared at the front door of his home.

"I couldn't believe it," Ortiz said. "I thought she was playing a joke on me."

Ortiz lives only two blocks from the daycare center, but the toddler had to cross a busy street to get home.

Daycare staff had no idea that the 3-year-old had wandered off, Ortiz told NBC 4 New York.

"She didn't know where he was," Ortiz said of the staff member's response. "She had nothing to say. She just apologized and said it wouldn't happen again."

It won't, Ortiz said, adding that she will no longer leave her son at KinderWorld.

The daycare center was open Friday and taking care of children. Employees decline to speak to NBC 4.

Ortiz filed a formal complaint against KinderWorld and a state inspector visited the site Friday. 

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