CLINTON, CT – A Connecticut babysitter faces multiple charges after a 2-year-old boy under her care fell out of a moving vehicle.
The incident occurred on May 14, when the toddler reportedly opened a rear door and was subsequently run over by the vehicle.
Maria V. Santiago, 55, was arrested on Monday and is now facing four counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of failure to apply a child restraint system, according to police reports.
The incident took place around 3:14 PM in the Sunnybrook Lane area, about 40 miles south of Hartford.
Authorities responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call about the accident. Investigations revealed that Santiago was driving home after picking up an 11-year-old from the bus stop.
The child, according to Santiago, managed to open the door and fall out as she navigated a left curve.
Further investigations exposed additional concerns about Santiago’s care. Police discovered that she had left three other children — ages 9, 4, and 2 — unattended at her home with potentially hazardous conditions, including a pot of boiling chicken left unattended on the stove.
The 11-year-old in the car during the incident told authorities that Santiago habitually did not secure the children with seatbelts. On the day of the accident, the toddler was reportedly “really loose” in the back seat, leading to the tragic fall.
