York County, Pennsylvania — A troubling case out of York County has raised serious concerns about child safety after a 2-year-old boy was found wandering alone in the middle of a road on a cold morning, allegedly while under the care of a babysitter with a prior history of child endangerment.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the incident happened Tuesday morning around 8 a.m. on West Main Street in Windsor. A passerby noticed the toddler walking alone in near-freezing temperatures — about 37°F (around 3°C) — without socks or shoes and immediately alerted authorities.
When officers arrived, they found the child cold to the touch but alive. He was taken into protective custody while police began investigating how he ended up outside alone.
Authorities say the child had been left in the care of 32-year-old Arissa Ward, who was babysitting him at her residence. Investigators allege that Ward had fallen asleep, allowing the toddler to leave the house unnoticed.
Troopers canvassed the area and were directed to Ward’s home. When they knocked on her door, she reportedly appeared confused and said she had just woken up. When asked if she was missing a child, she allegedly admitted that she was babysitting but claimed the boy was not hers.
Further investigation revealed that the child’s mother had dropped him off earlier that morning around 6:30 a.m. The mother told police that Ward was asleep when she arrived and had to be woken up multiple times before she could leave for work. She also noted that the front door was left unlocked, which was unusual.
Police believe the toddler may have wandered out of the house after Ward fell back asleep. It’s unclear exactly how long the child was outside before being found.
The situation took a more serious turn when authorities confirmed Ward’s prior criminal history. Court records show she had previously been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in connection with the death of her 2-month-old son in 2016. The infant died after being accidentally suffocated while she was intoxicated.
Despite sentencing guidelines suggesting jail time, the judge in that earlier case gave Ward a lighter sentence, reportedly to allow her a chance to rebuild her life and care for her surviving child.
In the current case, Ward has been arrested and is now facing a felony charge of child endangerment, along with a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person.
Officials say the child is now safe, and Children and Youth Services has been notified and is involved in the case.
Ward has since posted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 5. Authorities have not released further details about the condition of the child or any custody decisions moving forward.
The incident has sparked concern in the community, highlighting the risks children face when left in unsafe environments and the importance of proper supervision — especially in extreme weather conditions.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
