6 toddlers wander away from day care; 6 months later, center to close

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Six months after a half dozen small children wandered away from a day care, the center in question is closing.

Pinedale Christian Day Care Inc. told North Carolina officials the center will close in three weeks, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.

The decision came after six children, ages 2 to 3 years old, left a playground at the care center in December. Five of the children crossed a busy highway, but none of the children were hurt. The sixth child was found standing at the church doors, not able to open them to leave the building, WGHP reported.

At the time of the escape, two employees of the day care were supervising 20 other children on a playground when the six toddlers went through a church door at Pinedale Christian Church, down a hall and left the building through its front door, WGHP reported.

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Motorists noticed the children and, with the help of police, got them back to the center.

"Here comes a little boy, running down the center lane," Angie Herman told WGHP in December.

The church is home to other activities during school hours, but are not affiliated with the day care, which led officials to ask security questions about the center’s safe operation.

The decision to close was voluntarily made by the church, a Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman told the Journal.

Parents and teachers at the day care have been told about the decision and were given information about alternative care opportunities.

Pinedale Christian Day Care was started as a nonprofit ministry at the church more than 20 years ago, WGHP reported.

Cox Media Group