Published : Sep. 19, 2024 at 5:54 PM CDT|Updated : moments ago
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY/Gray News) - A child wandered away from a day care in Alabama this week and walked to a nearby store.
According to the boy’s mother, Jasmine Najee, her 3-year-old son somehow wandered away from the Kiddie Care Learning Center on Tuesday.
“He had asked to potty, and [day care workers] told him to go by himself,” she said.
Najee said her son, Sir Paxton, was able to walk across the street to a Walmart Neighborhood Market after escaping the day care.
Sir Paxton was said to be making his way around the store unsupervised for about 20 to 25 minutes before an employee, who is also a family friend, spotted him heading to check out with Hot Wheels and snacks in hand.
“[Surveillance] cameras showed he left the day care at 4:07,” Najee said.
According to police, they were notified about the situation at about 4:30 p.m.
But the mother said she wasn’t notified about what had happened from the day care until about 5 p.m.
Despite her frustration, Najee is thankful that her son was not injured in the ordeal.
“We could be grieving his death,” she said.
Kiddie Care Learning Center owner Kishia Saffold has apologized for what happened that day.
“I am deeply sorry, to the child in our care, the parents, and those affected by this situation,” Saffold said. “As the director and owner, I take full responsibility for our failure to ensure the safety of those in our care - a duty I’ve always held as my highest priority.”
Saffold said security measures will also be updated.