A frightening situation unfolded outside a daycare center in Fruitland Park northwest of Orlando when a young child was found standing in the middle of a busy highway. Witnesses said it was fortunate that no vehicles were passing by at the time, preventing what could have been a tragic accident.
Ricky Mouery was driving with his nephew when he spotted the child alone on Highway 441. Shocked by what he saw, he quickly turned his vehicle around and headed back to help.
By the time Mouery reached the scene, two other drivers had already stopped. One of them safely returned the child to the daycare center while Mouery called 911. Authorities later arrested 27-year-old Halee Russo after she told investigators she became distracted by another child, allowing the youngster to push open a gate that had not been properly secured.
Mouery said he is grateful the child was not injured and believes the timing was nothing short of remarkable. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “We drove away from that asking, ‘How did that highway not have traffic?’ I say by the grace of God because I believe that’s true. But yeah, divine timing.”
