Toledo police are investigating a serious incident involving the Little Miracles Childcare Center, where three young children, ages 6, 3, and 11 months, were found unattended. The situation unfolded on Saturday, January 17, when officers responded to a complaint at the facility located on Monroe Street in west Toledo.
The investigation began with a call from the mother of one of the children, who reported that when she arrived to pick up her daughter around 2:30 a.m., there was no caretaker present. Alarmingly, her daughter had to open the door to let her in. The mother had dropped her child off at the daycare the previous evening at 6 p.m. and was not scheduled to return until 4:30 a.m.
After returning home, the concerned mother called the police to report the incident. When officers arrived, they found that no staff answered the door, but they could see children sleeping inside through the windows. Eventually, police made contact with Tommy Colbert, a 23-year-old staff member, who opened the door. He appeared nervous and was sweating, claiming he had been in the bathroom during the mother’s arrival.
Colbert informed the police that he had called the daycare’s owner, Antoinette Cobbler, regarding the situation but had not contacted the authorities or the children’s parents. A review of his phone logs revealed that his last call to Cobbler was made at 9 p.m., two hours before his shift was supposed to begin at 11 p.m. However, he alleged he had been at work since the start of his shift.
Further investigation raised suspicions, as police noted that Colbert’s car was still warm to the touch, suggesting recent use. He later admitted to leaving the daycare to visit a friend. Colbert was subsequently arrested and charged with three counts of child endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanors and later posted bond. A judge has ordered him to have no contact with the victims or the daycare.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth has indicated that Little Miracles Childcare Center is on track for license revocation. An inspection report from January 14 revealed multiple violations, including the presence of an unqualified employee and failure to adhere to health and safety protocols. The report also highlighted missing information in the children’s medical records and the absence of scheduled fire drills over several months.
This alarming incident underscores the need for vigilance in childcare settings to ensure the safety and well-being of children. As investigations proceed, it is hoped that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that caregivers adhere to the highest standards of care.