Charlotte mother wants change after she says son ran from daycare into parking lot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local mother reached out to Channel 9 outraged after she said her 2-year-old son ran out of his daycare in University City.

University Child Development Center is surrounded by businesses along University Executive Park Drive just off North Tryon Street.

“That's what they do. They run. They play. It was probably like a game to him,” the boy’s mother, De’Quetia Morrow, said.

[ALSO READ: Study: NC parents spend more per year on daycare than on in-state college tuition]

She said her son Zymir was probably having a lot of fun when he ran out of his daycare into the street, but she doesn't find it funny that he was able to do so.

“Him and his class were at the water fountain and Zymir ran down the hall and was able to run out the door into the parking lot. They said the teacher came running after him,” Morrow said.

She said after the incident the daycare suspended her son, citing behavioral issues.

“Regardless of behavior, that doesn't explain how he was able to run out of this building and be out running in the parking lot,” Morrow said.

In a statement the daycare said, "The child was not unsupervised, nor was he running around in a parking lot alone." It also said the "suspension was not decided because of the alleged incident."

[ALSO READ: Day care receives more than 90 complaints, according to state documents]

Channel 9 found a history of violations at the center dating back to September of last year.

A state inspector said "school aged children were not adequately supervised.” And a child was seen “exiting a cab in front of the child care facility without any adult supervision or escort."

This February, an inspector said "a staff member failed to adequately supervise children and was not aware two 6-year-old children engaged in inappropriate activities while in the bathroom."

There were similar violations this July.

“I know they can't keep the door locked, but the way that the door is they have it accessible for kids to get out. They can push the little latch and the door just literally opens up,” Morrow said.

The state said it is aware of this most recent complaint and is looking into it.

Cox Media Group