UPDATE: Woman Slept While 8-Year-Old Walked to School: Police

Maria Hasankoli, 38, of North Plains Highway, was allegedly sleeping while the 8-year-old child she was entrusted to watch was walking 2 miles to Yalesville School because he missed the school bus, police said.

On Nov. 18 the Wallingford Police Department received a call from a business owner on North Plains Industrial Road, a heavily populated business district with moderate traffic.

The business owner stated that he just observed a young child walking northbound on the side of the road carrying a small backpack, police said. He estimated the child to be approximately 4-5 years of age.

Police found the child, determined to be a smaller eight year old boy and learned that he had missed the school bus and was walking to Yalesville Elementary School located at 415 Church Street in Yalesville, police said.

The walk from the bus stop to the school is approximately 2 miles. The child would have had to walk about .7 miles on Route 68 and would have had to cross the intersection of Routes 68 and 150, a heavy traffic area, police said.

The officer brought the child to school and went to talk to the adult who was responsible for his care and supervision.

The Officer had to have the adult awakened at which time she was asked the whereabouts of the child, police said.

She responded by saying that he was in the downstairs level of the home. The officer explained that the child was found walking on North Plains Industrial Road, police said.

Hasankolli was taken into custody and charged with risk of Injury to a minor. She was released on a $2,500 bond and issued a court date of Dec. 2. The incident was reported to the state Department of Children and Families.