Police: Day Care Worker Arrested After 2 Children Found Alone At Bay Shore Mall
BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Authorities reunited two children, who were found alone at a Bay Shore mall, with their parents Thursday night.
The children -- 2-year-old Tyler and 3-year-old Abigail -- were found playing at the south end of the Westfield South Shore Mall near JCPenney and Panera Bread on Sunrise Highway around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Abigail and Tyler, who are not related, were taken to the mall by 34-year-old Nicole Noble, an aide from Elite Christian Daycare in Brooklyn, police said Thursday.
Tyler's mother, Pollyanna Graig, said she was anxiously awaiting a reunion.
"I'm really happy Tyler is home, my head is hurting me. I just want to get him to bed. I'm exhausted," she said.
CBS2 has learned from prosecutors that Noble was going to the mall to return an article of clothing to Macy's and was recorded on video holding the hands of both children as she entered, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
Prosecutors say Noble left them behind to teach them a lesson for playing hide and seek, McLogan reported.
Noble, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with two counts of child abandonment and two counts of child endangerment, police said.
Police: Day Care Worker Arrested After 2 Children Found Alone At Bay Shore Mall
Noble pleaded not guilty to the charges during her arraignment Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip. Bail was set at $50,000 cash and $150,000 bond. She is due back in court on Dec. 9.
Noble's relatives said they're shocked at the charges and her brothers said she must have had a psychotic episode, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported.
"She just had a mental breakdown, that was all, that was it," Yohan Noble said.
"This is a person that has never been arrested," Andre Noble said.
They are also looking into whether drugs, alcohol or mental issues played a role in this case.
Day Care Worker Accused Of Leaving Children Alone At Mall Pleads Not Guilty
Noble has worked for the day care center for 14 years with no troubles, a Suffolk County police lieutenant told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
The woman who answered the door at the day care had nothing to say, CBS2's Weijia Jiang reported.
The children were under the care of Child Protective Services on Thursday as they waited to be reunited with their parents, Hall reported.
"They seemed fine. Sitting at the table coloring books, the officers in the precinct crime section gave them candy and food. They looked like they were in good health and good spirits," Lt. Darrel Simmons said.
Police are crediting social media for helping crack the case after posting pictures of the children, which led them to the parents.
Tyler's family members say they have not yet decided whether to take legal action against the day care and right now, they are focused on making sure he's comfortable at home.
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