Monroe police say a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old were found on a busy road Wednesday evening after they wandered off while being babysat by their teenage sister.
Authorities say a passerby saw the two siblings wandering near a floral shop on Route 17M around 6 p.m. and called for help. The boys were found unhurt, according to police who say the older child provided authorities with their parents’ names.
Police say the children live nearby. Authorities didn’t reveal where the children live, but News 12 went to the area by Freeland Street and saw houses in both directions of 17M near where the kids were found.
Police say their 16-year-old sister was babysitting while their parents were at work and that the kids slipped out unnoticed when she fell asleep.
People in the area were shocked to hear what happened and grateful to learn the children are OK.
“Thank God they got back home safely,” says John Grome.
Police say the kids’ parents came home after the ordeal and that the children were returned to them since there were no signs of any problems in the household.
Authorities say Orange County Child Protective Services was notified and is doing an investigation of its own.
The Red Cross provides babysitting and child care training for anyone in need.
Click HERE for more information.