Kid Left in Daycare Van

Kid Left in Daycare Van

Monica Gunter is upset about a van ride that turned into quite a scary situation for her daughter, Emma.

The 5 year old attends Polly's Daycare, a before and after school program in Tioga. During the week, Polly's staff brings all children to and from school by van. Emma attends Tioga Elementary.

While Monica was at work, Emma's father received a call from her teacher.

"She informed him, your daughter was checked in late at school...and she told us she was locked in a van...that's why she was late, and that she was hungry."

Emma later told her parents that on her way from Polly's to school, she fell asleep on the van. She later woke up in the van back at Polly's and alone.

She climbed over seats, opened the front door, and got out. Polly's was empty and locked.

"She said a stranger stopped and asked her, where is your mommy?"

The unidentified lady called Polly's, and staff later checked Emma in at Tioga Elementary. Monica says, Emma was checked in at 9:50am. The first school bell rings at 8:15am.

Monica called the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. Major Jasper Bay tells us that Polly's staff members were interviewed. No criminal intent was found, and the investigation was closed.

Owner Polly Givens responded to the incident in a written statement to News Channel 5:

"This unfortunate accident happened on Monday morning. The child was left on the van for approximately 1 hour before she woke up and was found. I reported it timely to OCS and DCFS as required. An investigation is being made at this time. No criminal charges were filed against the attendant on the van. I've been in business for over 30 years and no incident of this kind has ever happened. Our main concern is always for the children and their safety and we are deeply devastated by this. Polly's Daycare takes pride in the care we provide and we are taking every precautionary measure possible to ensure an incident like this never happens again."

Givens also stated that the Daycare has kept a solid reputation for years, and Emma's family agrees.

"I understand human error. We're all human, and we all make mistakes. It was the matter in which it was handled, after the fact. It was a bad situation made worse."

Emma's ok now, and no longer attending Polly's. Her parents are hoping that in the future, all children, including her own are properly supervised at all times.

"As a parent, what I have done and worked so hard for the past 5 years is to never have her be in a helpless situation, and she was. She was denied her mother to there with her, to help her in a traumatic situation."