Fruitland Park, Florida — A Florida daycare worker is facing criminal charges after authorities say a young child escaped from a daycare playground, ran across multiple lanes of busy highway traffic, and was only saved from potential tragedy by concerned motorists who intervened.
The incident unfolded late Friday morning and prompted an investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of 27-year-old Halee Russo, who is accused of failing to properly supervise the child and later providing misleading information to investigators.
Fortunately, the child was not injured during the ordeal.
Drivers Spot Child Running Across Busy Highway
According to police, concerned drivers began calling authorities shortly after 11 a.m. when they spotted a young boy running across U.S. Highway 27 near County Road 466A.
The roadway has a posted speed limit of 50 mph and carries significant traffic throughout the day.
Witnesses reported seeing the child dart across multiple lanes of traffic, creating a dangerous situation for both motorists and the child.
Several drivers reportedly pulled over and intervened before the child could be harmed. Those Good Samaritans were able to bring the boy to safety and return him to the daycare facility.
The incident immediately raised questions about how the child had managed to leave the property unnoticed.
Police Say Worker’s Story Changed During Investigation
Investigators interviewed Russo, who told officers she normally checks to ensure the playground gate is locked before children are outside.
However, police said she admitted she did not verify that the gate was secured on the day of the incident.
Initially, Russo reportedly claimed the child slipped away while she was supervising other children and was quickly located near the front entrance by a parent.
According to that version of events, she said she ran after the child within seconds and caught up with him shortly afterward. But authorities say witness accounts painted a very different picture.
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Multiple people reported seeing the child much farther away from the daycare and running across the busy highway, indicating he had been unsupervised for a significantly longer period.
When confronted with those statements, investigators said Russo became emotional.
Worker Allegedly Claimed She Was Told to Lie
According to the arrest affidavit, Russo later acknowledged that she had lost sight of the child while tending to another upset child on the playground.
She estimated that she did not know where the child was for approximately two minutes.
Investigators said Russo claimed her supervisor instructed her to provide inaccurate information because there were concerns the daycare could be shut down if the full circumstances became known.
The daycare’s name was redacted from the police report.
Russo also reportedly told officers she believed the playground gate had been locked and that the child may have crawled underneath it before leaving the property.
Child Neglect Charge Filed
Police concluded that the child was not receiving adequate supervision at the time of the incident. According to investigators, the boy was solely under Russo’s care when he left the playground area.
“The defendant confirmed the juvenile was solely in her care and she was not providing the juvenile with adequate supervision, putting the well-being of the juvenile at risk,” officers wrote in the report.
Authorities subsequently arrested Russo and transported her to the Lake County Jail. She was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm and later posted a $2,500 bond.
Her next scheduled court appearance is set for July 6.
Investigation Raises Questions About Child Safety Procedures
While the child escaped without injury, the incident has raised concerns about daycare safety protocols and supervision standards. Investigators have not publicly announced whether additional reviews or actions involving the daycare facility are underway.
The case remains a reminder of how quickly dangerous situations can develop when young children gain access to areas outside secure supervision.
What do you think about this case? Should daycare facilities face stricter oversight and safety requirements following incidents involving children leaving the property?
Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
