Mile Marker Mayhem! Motorists were left stunned (and scrambling) after spotting a toddler wobbling across a busy state highway — with cars zooming by and not a parent in sight!
It happened near the 6-mile marker on State Route 243, when a shocked woman slammed on her brakes after spotting a tiny tot in the middle of the road. She stopped, sprinted into traffic, and scooped the child up to safety.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a BABY in the road!” the quick-thinking driver said in a written statement. “I just grabbed her and started yelling for someone — anyone!”
A man nearby using a weed eater finally responded, claiming the toddler was his daughter. Additional witnesses pulled over to help, including one who said, “At first we thought it was a toy in the road — then we saw it move.”
🚨 The Shocking Details
When deputies arrived, the father told officers he had been mowing the lawn while both of his daughters — including a 3-month-old infant — were inside the house. He admitted that the garage door had been left open, allowing the toddler to wander out.
Also inside the home? A disabled uncle on a walker, unable to supervise, and no other adult present. The mother was at work at the time but rushed home when notified.
Child Protective Services was contacted and will be following up on the situation.
👶 SAFETY FIRST: TODDLER TIPS TO AVOID A TRAGEDY
Local officials say this could’ve ended in heartbreak, and they’re urging parents and caregivers to take precautions:
🛑 LOCK DOORS – Toddlers are sneaky escape artists. Use childproof locks and safety gates.
🚪 CLOSE GARAGE DOORS – Open garages are open invitations for toddlers to wander off.
👀 NEVER Rely on Distractions – Yard work, phones, or TV can steal your attention when your child needs it most.
🍼 Check in Often – If you’re doing chores, take regular breaks to visually confirm your child’s safety.
👨👩👧 Tag-Team Childcare – If you’re home alone with kids, especially infants and toddlers, make sure you’ve got help nearby or within reach if something goes wrong.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
This toddler was saved by a miracle — and some amazing citizens. But next time? There might not be one.
Keep your babies safe. Keep your eyes open. And please, keep them off the highway!
