Toddlers seen wandering in Gilbert after preschool gate failure
Oct 4, 2019, 3:03 PM
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — Police said seven preschool children were found wandering the streets Friday after they found their way out of a gated Gilbert playground.
According to Gilbert Police Sgt. Mark Marino, the children were ages 2-3 and attended Little Sunshine’s Playhouse and Preschool.
“Three witnesses driving by happened to see kids by the road, stopped, assisted (and) notified the school,” Marino said. “The kids were back in the school by the time we got to that location.”
Police responded to 911 calls at around 9:44 a.m. The children were found wandering near the intersection of Val Vista Drive and Baseline Road.
Marino also said that adults were present in the play area but the gate the kids escaped from was out of view from the staff members.
Despite the mishap, neglect does not appear to be a factor to the police at this time.
“It appears that a gate that is around the corner failed to stay secured,” Marino said.
“At this point we do not see issues of neglect or anything of criminal nature.”
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report.