Toddler Found Wandering Twice

July 10, 2012

A Mayville woman is facing charges after her toddler was found wandering through a neighborhood alone twice in the same day.

At around 10:30 a.m. on July 5 the 3-year-old was found wandering in the neighborhood of Chautauqua Street in Mayville. Sheriff’s deputies returned the child to his mother. Later that day the same child was found wandering in the same neighborhood.

Sheriff’s deputies then charged 21-year-old Clarissa Dickey with endangering the welfare of a child. She’s scheduled to appear in Chautauqua Court.

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Comments

Anonymous said…

Sad thing about this story is. This happens very often around Bradford. I see kids 2 - 5 years old all the time playing in street or sidewalks with no Adults around!

July 10, 2012 at 8:30 AM

Clarissa Dickey said…

I'd like to point out, that this is one-sided and they aren't taking into account ANY variables in the situation, such as that being out of character for the child.Also, he wasn't "wandering around town" he walked in the grass, through three yards, to a neighbors house. He wanted to play with their grandson and they made no deterrent to the situation by giving him toys and inviting him in and letting him play. They knew he lived nearby but instead of trying to find out where he lived and escorting him or anything, they invited him in and called the sheriffs dept. The second time it happened was later that day when he was in the house for less than 10 minutes playing with his action figures and snuck out a door that has never been used. Locks were put in place and it was under control. The third time, an uncle that was staying temporarily removed the lock and went and sat on the porch being self-absorbed and talking on the phone. He was well aware the current situation but chose to be ignorant of the surroundings. He was kicked out. The fourth time, yes there's a fourth, we had an overnight guest who slept on the couch and knew fully well what was going on, unlocked the door and went outside. Even if he had temporarily forgotten about what was going on, the lock should have been a reminder. He watched the child run off and made zero attempt to notify anybody for 20 minutes and when he did tell someone he said, "I just saw a little blonde boy go running, could that be her son?" and of course we went looking for him immediately. That house guest was taken home and are never allowed to come back. The child is not "neglected" or "unsupervised". He is loved VERY, VERY much. Anybody who has children knows you can't hover over them 24/7. Especially when there are two of them. In 4 years, prior to all of this, the child got out of sight and ran off once when he was 2 and didn't know any better. He was taught to stay in the back yard and not to stray off. A different uncle started taking them on walks down the street, where he saw the neighbor's grandson and wanted to play with him. He has no males his own age to play with, he hardly ever has. I hate how everything I see on this makes me seem like I'm the worst mother in the world that just lets her young child wander the streets when that's not how it is. He wasn't "wandering" through town, or going on the road [or even the sidewalk]. He knew exactly where he was going. That doesn't make it okay, but it's not as horrible as it's made to sound. It happened twice in one day and was handled until idiot house guests let him out and didn't pay attention to him. Both of which are not allowed back here. It's not like he's just allowed to go wherever he wants as he pleases because nobody is watching him, it's not. He's a curious, adventurous little guy. I have had talks with him EVERY single day since it happened the first time, also family and friends have spoken with him, explained everything. Things like showering and chores can be done when children are asleep, but what about bathroom breaks? Are you supposed to lock your children in the bathroom with you? What about when they can unlock simple door knob locks? What then?And I'm sure everybody will be happy to know that "those poor, neglected children" have been taken out of the home

August 6, 2012 at 3:26 PM

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