5-year-old boy found wandering around alone in Queens park; day care worker arrested

RIDGEWOOD, Queens (WABC) -- A day care worker is under arrest after a child in his care was left wandering alone for five hours in a park.

The 5-year-old boy was discovered by a park worker inside Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village.

Emi looked pretty good after all he'd been through.

"It was like Curious George," Emi said.

Yes, like Curious George only with handcuffs. Police arrested 32-year-old Oscar Jaramillo and charged him with child abandonment and endangering the welfare of a child.

He's the co-owner of Peekaboo, the licensed day care center that Emi's parents dropped him off at Tuesday. Police say Emi got separated from Jaramillo in the park.

"What were you doing in the park, sir?" Eyewitness News asked.

"I'm sorry," Jaramillo said.

He said he was sorry as they put him into the patrol car and on to central booking where he was charged.

"It was a mistake," he said.

It was some mistake. A park worker found Emi wandering around by himself and brought him to the 104 Precinct.

Police put out Emi's picture looking for his family.

They were all reunited Tuesday night and the parents seemed to handle the matter diplomatically.

"It is what it is," Emi's father said.