3-year-old girl mistakenly released to stranger by elementary school

WASHINGTON (WJLA) — What would you do if you found out your 3-year-old was handed to a stranger after school?

That was one mom’s frightening discovery on Friday afternoon at Cleveland Elementary School in NW.

“They should be checked out by a responsible adult that they recognize,” said Mayfield Piper, who lives next to the school.

That mom later learned her child was picked up by another student’s relative.

Police say the school’s staff gave the stranger the little girl, who they believed was his niece.

Piper has many questions about the mix up.

“I think they should look into how the child was let go and with a stranger and their policy shouldn’t allow that. That’s crazy,” Piper said.

“We are looking into the incident on Friday at Cleveland Elementary School. DC Public Schools is committed to fostering a learning environment where students are safe and secure,” DCPS press secretary Kristina Saccone said.

Said Piper, “As an elementary school, you need to take care these days."

Once the child was returned to the school, she was checked for injuries and the stranger was interviewed.

No charges were filed and no injuries were reported.