It's every parents worst nightmare: discovering your child is missing. Friday, New Middletown police found a four-year-old boy about a mile from his home hoping to go to Welker Park, not once but twice.
"He had a good time at the park yesterday and decided to go back," said police Chief Vince D'Egidio. "One of our residents saw him and took care of him until we got here."
After police found him the first time, they brought him back to his parents. Then later in the afternoon, while his mother was doing laundry, the boy left the house again for the park. That time he was found on Middletown Road close to state Route 170.
This is the third case in one year of children wandering the streets in New Middletown.
"Well, just know that children are adventurous and they have a strong will," said Linda Beilstein, of the Kids Safe Coalition. "And when they want to go somewhere, they're going to do what they can to go somewhere."
Parents can take a few simple steps to make their doors childproof.
"Use things like gates, locks and safety devices for door handles, door knobs," said Beilstein. "So that the children, even though they may attempt it when they're out of your sight, can't get out."
New Middletown police said the boy is in good spirits, and the parents are upset, but also happy their young son is safe and sound twice in one day. D'Egidio said time is of the essence when you can't find your child.
"One of the things we want to stress is when you notice a child missing, notify 911 immediately," said D'Egidio. "Don't wait."
Police also told the boy's parents that if the child leaves the house unattended one more time, Child Services will get involved.
