Woman saves toddler who went missing after finding her on Fort Myers Road

FORT MYERS

A 2-year-old girl was found safe after wandering from her babysitter’s home on Sunday morning.

A woman who called 911 found the girl moving on State Road 82 near Omni Lane.

A police report said the little girl stayed overnight with a nanny at Lexington Palms at the Forum. She opened the front door and entered the street, eventually reaching State’s 82nd Street.

Stephanie Roskopf, who found the girl, said it was a miracle that the toddler was unharmed.

“I mean, at first we thought maybe it was an animal so we stepped on the brakes, backed up and realized it was a small child,” Roskopf said.

That’s when her heart sank.

“Of course, I only think the worst case scenario is that the parents obviously abandoned this child, but he looks very well cared for and very happy,” said Roskopf.

Roskopf, who was visiting town, called 911 and waited for the child until Fort Myers police arrived.

Roskopf said the child looked happy and as if she had no idea what was going on.

Police went around nearby Lexington Palms apartments to see if any neighbors were looking for a baby girl, but they couldn’t find anyone.

Two hours later, the child’s babysitter called the police.

The babysitter admitted to police that she was not a licensed daycare provider.

She just watched her two children and four others spend the night while their parents worked.

“I know, those are normal things. I know, you know, a sensible way of taking care of your child, but unfortunate situations still happen,” said Roskopf.

The caregiver told police she checks on the children she monitors for hours as they sleep, according to the report.

WINK News knocked on her apartment door, but she did not wish to comment.

Roskopf said she was glad the baby was safe. She hopes nothing like this ever happens again.

“You guys have alligators and things, you know, could have caught her, so it was a very unrealistic situation for me,” she said. “Fortunately, the girl is okay.”

The Department of Children and Families is investigating what happened. The little girl’s mother told police that she had also left the house earlier. The babysitter does not face criminal charges.

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