WHEELING - 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."