Overview
- A 2-year-old ran out of a Fruitland Park daycare and into a highway median before a bystander retrieved the child and called police; officers say the child was unharmed and received no injuries.
- Police arrested employee Halee Russo after officers concluded the child had been solely in her care and after reviewing statements captured on body-worn camera.
- Body-camera video shows officers arriving at the center and questioning staff, during which Russo first said the gate was unlocked and later said she lied because a supervisor told her to provide a false account.
- The daycare owner posted an apology on Facebook expressing relief that the child is safe, while records reviewed by reporters show prior state citations for staffing ratios, training lapses, and facility problems such as damaged flooring and playground boards.
- Authorities are investigating the incident and the worker’s claim about being instructed to lie, and the case could prompt criminal charges and regulatory review of the center’s licensing and safety practices.