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Mother Arrested For Child Abandonment Was Childcare Professional

GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Parents picking up their children at the Small Miracles Academy daycare in Garland are still stunned about former teacher Alicia Carroll's arrest.

Candice Ostrowski says, "I'm shaken up about her, about this happening to her. This is not like her."

We heard that not only from a parent, but a co-worker here, and a friend.

But Dallas police accuse Carroll of abandoning her seven year old daughter and telling her to hide in a dumpster after spending the evening together at the nearby King Spa.

Investigators say the little girl spent the night in the dumpster by herself.

Police say Carroll was intoxicated and didn't remember what happened.

Ostrowski says, "I don't know how or why that happened. The only thing I can think of is something was in her drink and she wasn't in her right mind at that moment. I know she was scared and looking for her daughter."

No one from the daycare would speak on-camera. But they confirmed Carroll is out of a job.

A source said before Carroll's arrest, child protective services had opened an investigation into Carroll, but it wasn't completed.

Ostrowski says, "My daughter is going to be heart-broken. Because she's such a good teacher, she's such a good mom, she's one of the best teachers."

A source said Dallas police have completed their investigation and have sent the case to prosecutors. Carroll remains in the Dallas County jail.

Her mother declined comment. We called the little girl's biological father seeking comment, but we haven't heard back.

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