Fairfield mom says preschool program "lost" her 2-year-old for unknown amount of time, files police report
FAIRFIELD — A mother filed a police report this week after she says a Fairfield preschool program "lost" her child for an unknown amount of time.
"That's a mother's worst fear, not knowing where your kid is," said Kelsey Craig, the child's mother.
It happened at the Fairfield Community Center on Tuesday morning. Craig's 2-year-old daughter, Scarlett, was enrolled in the "Terrific Tots" day program when she allegedly slipped out of sight.
The Fairfield Police Department confirmed to CBS13 that it is investigating to see if a crime occurred.
"Whether this is negligence or child endangerment, an oversight just doesn't do it. There has to be some type of actionable change going forward to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else's baby," Craig said.
Craig said that this happened on her daughter's first day at the program and she will not be returning.
At pick up on Tuesday, Craig said a teacher pulled her aside and explained that an incident had occurred.
"She told me that my child got out. My immediate follow-up was, did you realize she was missing or did someone return her? And it was the latter," Craig said.
Craig said that the teacher admitted they were short-staffed that day, and a program director told her a substitute had been called in to help staff the classroom of toddlers.
The mother does not know how her daughter got out of the locked classroom. She said her 2-year-old was found down the hallway and in the community center lobby.
"I trust you with the care of my child. For her to be unsupervised, unattended, unaccounted for, I can't accept that," Craig said.
It is not known how long Scarlett was roaming. For a mother, the mind jumps to the unthinkable.
"If she would have been snatched? If she would have traveled outside?" Craig said. "It could have been a lot worse."
Scarlett was just steps from the automatic front door, leading to the parking lot. At that time, Craig said, a front desk worker at the community center stepped in.
"She told me she was out of eyesight, but within earshot, she heard a man questioning my daughter, 'Where's your mommy, where's your mommy?' I just am very thankful that she was in the right place at the right time," Craig said of the worker who helped return her child to the classroom.
She is demanding accountability from the City of Fairfield. A spokesperson provided this statement in response to CBS13:
"The safety of our early childhood program participants is of the highest importance to the City of Fairfield. We are investigating this matter and have no further comment at this time."
Craig hopes to hear from the city soon, wanting an update on what has changed.
"I researched a lot of programs and felt this one was right. My trust is irretrievably broken," Craig said.
Craig also says she tried to obtain video surveillance from the lobby to see how long her 2-year-old child was unaccounted for but was told it is part of the investigation and could not be released.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Four charged in CT takeover involving dangerous car stunts and fire in supermarket parking lot
Four people have been charged in connection with a large street takeover last month in Fairfield involving dangerous car stunts and a fire that was ignited in the parking lot of a supermarket. The takeover was reported on May 2 just before 11 p.m. when officers responded to the Stop & Shop at 760 Villa Ave. on the report of a large group of drivers performing donuts, burnouts and fishtails in the lot, according to the Fairfield Police Department. Just before officers arrived, police said a portion of the asphalt was set on fire which created a hazard toward the drivers and a number of individuals who were standing nearby and filming the incident. The participants scattered as officers showed up, which police said is one of the most dangerous points in a takeover when drivers tend to speed off, putting themselves, police and the public at risk. Because of this, police said they took a calculated approach that prioritized safety and evidence collection. The police department established its own task force to investigate the takeover and track down the individuals who were most culpable. The task force included some of the officers who responded to the scene and was assisted by the State's Attorney's Office. While carrying out the search warrants, which took place in areas outside of Fairfield, police said the mother of one of the suspects interfered with police in East Windsor. She has been identified as Wanda Romero. According to police, investigators used progressive police tactics that included reviewing dashboard camera footage, monitoring social media and collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies. Police said they obtained search and seizure warrants for a number of vehicles that were involved in the takeover, which were identified through videos shared on social media. Police seized a number of vehicles during the investigation, including a blue Dodge Charger Daytona registered to David Romero of East Windsor, a GMC Sierra pickup truck belonging to Christopher McGirl of Wallingford and a white Ford Mustang GT owned by Dilmar Ruano-Barrera of Stamford. The vehicles remain in police custody as evidence in the criminal proceedings. David Romero, 20, faces charges of illegal racing on a highway, conspiracy to commit illegal racing on a highway, first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, second-degree riot, unlawful assembly, reckless driving, failure to display plates, operation causing unnecessary noise and unsafe movement of a stopped vehicle. He was held on $75,000 bond and was expected to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Friday. His mother, Wanda Romero, 49, has been charged with tampering with physical evidence and interfering with police. She was held on a $25,000 bond and was also expected to face a judge on Friday. Ruano-Barrera, 26, faces charges of illegal racing on a highway, conspiracy to commit illegal racing on a highway, first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, second-degree riot, unlawful assembly, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle creating unnecessary noise and unsafe movement from a stopped position. He was held on a $50,000 bond and was set to appear in court on Friday. McGirl, 20, was charged with illegal racing on a highway. He was held on a $10,000 bond and was expected to face a judge on Friday.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Union City man saves woman from car explosion: ‘She would have died'
A Union City man who rescued a woman from a burning car said he had just seconds before the car exploded. 'I kept stepping over the flames,' Michael Craig told Channel 2's Audrey Washington on Tuesday. 'When the car crashed here, I came and ran right here,' Craig explained. Craig said on Monday evening, he heard a crash, ran outside, and saw the unthinkable -- a burning car in his neighbor's Rosewood Place home in Union City. 'I just saw somebody in the car, and that it was on fire,' Craig said. Fairburn firefighters posted video of the scene on their Facebook page. Fire officials said it appeared the driver somehow lost control before she slammed into the house. Craig said the driver seemed disoriented. 'Her window was down, and then she rolled it back up. And I said, 'Your car is on fire, don't do that, don't do that!' So, I had her throw me the keys and I hit the key fob to unlock the car,' Craig told Washington. TRENDING STORIES: Raids uncover largest fentanyl pill operation in state history in Atlanta, Douglasville Fake Uber Eats killing suspect in court, victim's family removed from hearing Man charged with posing as nurse, dispensing morphine at Haralson nursing home Craig said while his friend helped the homeowners out of the house, he and another man pulled the driver out of the car as the flames in and around the car grew bigger. 'By that time, her feet had caught on fire, and a guy got a fire extinguisher, and he sprayed her feet, and we carried her across the street,' Craig explained. The driver is now recovering. Craig said he can only imagine what could have happened. 'If I didn't come outside, she would have died. She would've burned in that car,' Craig said. 'So, you saved her life?' Washington asked. 'I did,' Craig answered. Neighbors said the homeowners are staying with family. Channel 2 Action News is working to get an update on the driver's condition.
Boston Globe
01-06-2025
- Boston Globe
‘He's just a kid': Milford High student, 18, detained by immigration officials, administrator says
School committee chair Matthew Zacchilli deferred comment to McIntyre's office on Saturday night. A Milford police dispatcher declined to comment. Advertisement Craig, an interim assistant principal at Stacy Middle School, declined to share the student's name, but called him 'an integral part' of the school and town community. She said she had first heard the news from several other educators in the district. 'It's just horrendous,' Craig said. 'These are babies. They're kids. I don't care that they're 18 — he's just a kid." Describing the student as a 'great kid,' Craig said the student had his 'issues' in middle school, but stressed that he had 'matured' since then. Aside from his role on the boys' volleyball team, she said he was known for helping coach girls volleyball and taking care of his younger siblings, who also attend Milford Public Schools. The news of his detention, she added, was 'heartbreaking.' Advertisement 'He's been in this country since he was 5,' Craig said. 'Where is he going to be sent? He can't function [on his own].' The student's country of birth was not made public on Saturday. According to a post circulating on social media, a rally to 'support our students' is scheduled to be held in front of Milford Town Hall at 12 p.m. Sunday — immediately after the conclusion of Milford High's graduation ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. 'Please join us for a peaceful, community-led demonstration in front of Milford Town Hall as we come together to show support for our students and families who are facing unjust treatment and fear,' reads the post. This is happening tomorrow if you are able! I will be at chaote for Pride 🌈 then head over 🕊️ Peaceful... Posted by It's not clear from the post who is organizing the rally, but Craig said that many educators and school community members plan to attend to show their support for the detained student and his family. Nicholas Molinari, president of the Milford Teachers Association, said in a brief phone call Saturday night that he intended to discuss the situation with the association's executive board. Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
