Child Found Alone
By BETHANY A. ROMANEK Staff WriterWHEELING - A 3-year-old child with no shoes was found wandering near her home on Jenkins Lane early this morning, but Ohio County Sheriff's Department officials said the child simply walked out of her home.
The child was found on Jenkins Lane in Triadelphia at 7:30 a.m. this morning by Ohio County School bus driver Dan Ziegler.
Ziegler immediately took action upon witnessing the lone toddler.
Gary Kestner, Ohio County Schools transportation director, said Ziegler was traveling south on Jenkins Lane when he came across a youngster dressed in a small pair of shorts, a T-shirt and no shoes. Kestner said Ziegler immediately took the child on board.
"She was crying and picking her feet up," Kestner said. "It was cold it was 32 degrees. Dan warmed her feet and put something on them. He contacted me, the Ohio County board office and the sheriff's department. Apparently the little girl got out of the house on Mom and luckily Dan found her and got her returned to Mom."
Ohio County Chief Deputy Pat Butler said deputies were informed that a child was outside of her home alone when the bus driver spotted her. By the time deputies arrived on the scene, the child was already returned to her mother.
"A 3-year old girl was confused and went outside looking for her mother," Butler said.
"The mother was home. The child just got confused and thought maybe her mom was outside and then went out to look for her."
According to Butler, another child aboard the school bus recognized the 3-year old and informed a parent who contacted the 3-year old's mother.
"There is absolutely no evidence of neglect about the situation," Butler said. "It's just one of those things. The child got confused and went out looking for her mother. You can see how a small child would get confused. We need to make sure people know this wasn't a case of child neglect just one of those things that happens. You can't control something like that. It would be different if it was a neglect case but it's not."
Kestner said he has been reviewing GPS tapes from Ziegler's bus. He said Ziegler's actions upon finding the child were outstanding.
"GPS tells us everything," Kestner said. "Right away we pulled the tape. I reviewed the tape and Dan's actions should be commended. Being a father he knew what to do get her on board, warm her up, and get the proper authorities. By the text book he did exactly what he was supposed to do. The little girl was as sharp as a tack. She was talking and talking and Dan consoled her saying one day she will be riding the bus."
Kestner joked that Ziegler was 20 minutes late on his route this morning after finding the child.
"But we excuse the tardiness," Kestner said "The little ones come first. I just can't say enough about Dan Ziegler. He did a great job and is commended for staying with her. Thank God it was one of ours. I can't imagine what was going through that poor girl's head."
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SphinxRising58
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10-25-08 12:57 AM
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Adults underestimate small children all the time, as did we also until I seen my then two year old son move things & climb on them so he could reach the lock t open it, whjich is why I instaled a dead bolt. Kids just do not give up once they become intent on doing something, as they will continue to work at it until they get what they want. Lucky for this child, a good guy found her :)
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leviandrio
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10-23-08 10:13 AM
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When my boy was 2 & while I was getting clothes out of the dryer, my son stood on a chair & unlocked a door. I came into the livingroom and saw a large man standing there. His response: "Pretty smart boy you have there". Thank goodness he was a good guy.
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LTRRTL
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10-22-08 8:42 PM
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I left the door open a lot - but they kept coming back. I finally moved.
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Michele
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10-22-08 5:32 PM
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This is to the Mom...Sometimes these things happen. I am sure that you feel very bad about this. Don't beat yourself up. I am sure that you reading some of these comments hurt, but in reality this is a differnt time and place that we live in. It was a blessing that this all worked out for all. Just tonight, kiss your little one and say to God..Thank You for watching over us today and always. I hope that this helps all who are reading this tonight. It was a happy ending and to you the bus driver GREAT JOB!! I know that the community appreciates you and I am certain so are the parents.
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kmd0302
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10-22-08 3:32 PM
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Stranger things have happened,someone left the house earlier,not locking the door,child was in livingroom, Mom was getting breakfast or maybe in bathroom and kids WILL be kids. Don't make stupid comments unless you know the situation look out your mentality is showing>
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Tenente61
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10-22-08 3:18 PM
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Good job Danny!
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surgelaw
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10-22-08 3:14 PM
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Wheeling News has nothing better to report............
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JohnGalt
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10-22-08 2:51 PM
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PG - it ain't as interesting as you might think.....
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PCGS70
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10-22-08 2:36 PM
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The hook-up on electric breast pump to the nipples? I need to check this out.
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 2:28 PM
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NOPE - Not on ANY meds, actually - but nice try.
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mymomscool
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10-22-08 2:25 PM
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BTW, ditto, alwaysamom
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 2:25 PM
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Always a mom - I agree, lets' hope that momma IS out getting locks. BTW - I am hoping that my son will not be tall enough to reach my locks until he is 15. (My luck, it will be 10!) Also, by the time he is 15, he better be out mowing the yard - so it will be ok for him to go out alone. That was my reason for the 15 years old comment. His height.
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mymomscool
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10-22-08 2:24 PM
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Medication for your mommy issues probably.
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 2:21 PM
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Must be my mood today - I just feel like being an internet troll. CRAP - I must have forgot my medication! Dang it again, George Bush - you made me forget my meds.
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alwaysamom
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10-22-08 2:20 PM
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Are we not missing the most important fact? The child was found unharmed by a safe person who took care of the child and returned her/her unscathed to the parents. Having a child make it outdoors without a parent noticing can happen to anyone. Lets forgive those who are truly good parents as I sure is the case here. Accidents happen. And honestly, don't you think the child's parent feels bad enough as it!
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mymomscool
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10-22-08 2:19 PM
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TheRealityPolice, so your son got out first, then you got chain locks, maybe that's what the mom is out doing right now. Were you speaking from experience then, were you fooling around on myspace and were you also between the ages of 19 and 23? Also, I for one am not wound up, I am simply exercising my freedom of speech. How did we all know that this is what's fun for you. And 15 really? You really think a child under 15 wouldn't be able to operate a chain lock. I guess your son never climbed either.
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HettysMom
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10-22-08 2:13 PM
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You're being ornery Reality ;)
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 2:09 PM
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POPEYE - Don't you know that Obama the Messiah will fix this problem?
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HettysMom
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10-22-08 2:09 PM
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Reality, it is too easy sometimes. Great job to the bus driver. And yes, bad mom, good mom, whatever - childproof your doors, for goodness sakes.
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 1:58 PM
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By the way - it is SOOOO FUN getting some of you wound up. It is so easy it is pathetic sometimes.
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TheRealityPolice
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10-22-08 1:57 PM
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I will let all of you guess whether I am male or female. HAHAHA - BUT, PUT SOME FREAKING LOCKS ON THE DOORS when you have toddlers! MY son DID get out once - I live in the country, so it was thankfully to the YARD and not near a road - and guess what? I learned and put CHAIN LOCKS on the doors where he cannot reach them until he is 15 years old! So - maybe momma should think about spending some $$ at Lowe's and doing the same - while she washes clothes, takes a shower, whatever. Some of you need to get a grip.
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Quasar
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10-22-08 1:40 PM
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I would be willing to be dollars to donuts that Therealitypoice is a male between the ages 18-35.
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mymomscool
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10-22-08 1:15 PM
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Oh and before you write back, those minor typographical errors don't make me uneducated.
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mymomscool
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10-22-08 1:13 PM
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There are most certainly instances when you don't hear a door open or shut. Maybe us mothers should just stop taking care of anything at home that makes noise so that we can sit and stare at all the doors and windows. Maybe people like TheRealityPolice will come and do our cooking, cleaning and laundry and hook the electric breast pump to their nipples. You call yourself TheRealityPolice, that's funny naming yourself after something you obviously know nothing about. Maybe I should just assume you are some 41 yr old loser that works at Wendy's as a "mamger in training" and lives in mommmy's basement cause nobody will put up with your double standard attitude. Not all stay at home mom's are eating bon bons, watching soaps and sleeping all morning.
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popeye
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10-22-08 1:08 PM
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It's all Bush's fault for not having the govt supply a babysitter.
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