Child is Left Behind

Gretchen Cook
News Editor

   While on a field trip with the Muskingum College Center for Child Development, a female child of an undisclosed age was left in a college transportation van.

   Other children of the day-care and four adult workers toured a local orchard while the child remained in the closed van for 30 minutes.

   College administration learned of the incident Sept. 24, Vice President of Institutional Advancement John Shorrock said.

   "Fortunately everyone was very concerned about the well-being of the child," Shorrock said.

   Shorrock said the Center for Child Development inactivated the child-care workers, who left the child. The worker will no longer have interaction with children.

   Because the Center is state licensed, it is currently under investigation by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Muskingum County Children Services. Details of the incident cannot be released because of the ongoing investigation.

   "Once the investigation is complete a report will be sent out to the Center," Child-care Licensing Specialist over Muskingum County Leisa Benton said.

   Dave Boyer, executive director of Muskingum County Children Services, said the investigation must be completed within 45 days after the incident.

   In the process of making a report, investigators will talk to witnesses, collect evidence and document the incident. If need be, investigators will hand documentation over to law enforcement or prosecutors, Boyer said.

   To determine the severity of the investigation, officials will look at the age of the child, the ability of the child to protect themselves and the nature of the act, Boyer said.

   "The first goal is always to protect children from harm," Boyer said. Shorrock, said he does not know if the child's family has removed her from the facility or what further action the family will take against the college.

   Facility workers and Director Aimee Weekley were unable to comment on the incident.

   "We really can't say anything - our hands are tied," Shorrock said. Shorrock said an incident like this has never happened before at the daycare.

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