State Investigating Daycare After Child Wanders Away
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (CBSDFW.COM) – A state agency is investigating a North Richland Hills daycare after a child wandered out of the playground and into the neighborhood.
Child Care Licensing confirmed that investigators are looking into the incident, which happened at the Cambridge Christian Academy. A daycare spokesman said the teacher was fired immediately and that school officials informed the state of the situation.
Bedford resident Cedric Malone, 39, said the school's assistant director called him to say his one-year-old son, Milez, left the playground.
"She said Milez got out of the gate and somebody got him," he said. "She paused and my heart dropped."
Milez was not hurt. Malone is not sure how long his son was alone, but was told a woman driving by spotted the boy and returned him to the daycare.
"We are grateful more than words can express," Malone said. "Me feeling my son was gone? It's a feeling I don't think no one should go through."
Cambridge Christian Academy owner Wanda Smith said the school took immediate action after the incident by firing the teacher and notifying the state.
"Child Care Licensing is currently investigating the incident, including interviewing the caregivers that day," said Marissa Gonzales, spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
The academy is continuing to operate during the investigation, Gonzales said. Cambridge Christian Academy's previous compliance history does not show any previous violations listed in regards to child supervision.
"Depending on the outcome, further action may be taken," Gonzales said.
The public can check any licensed daycare's compliance and investigation history at its website.
Meanwhile, Malone said he feels the school should be shut down during the investigation. He no longer takes his son there, and said he worries for the other children.
"I know accidents happen, but it's just pure negligence," he said. "It drives anger in me; it was pure negligence."
