Child Found Wandering On An Area Road

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Posted: 6:05 PM Apr 22, 2008
Last Updated: 9:22 AM Apr 23, 2008

25 comments

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A coal truck driver says he had to do something when he saw a three year old girl walking alone on an eastern Kentucky road.

James Greenmo says the girl was in a nightgown and walking barefoot in the Coldiron community of Harlan County.

He says a friend took the girl to a nearby gas station where someone called police.

The girl's mother says she had fallen asleep when the girl suddenly ran out of her home.

“It's a scary feeling to have your child get gone. I went crazy and now I'm taking the chance of not getting to see my girl again because of one little mistake,” Katrina Gilpin said.

“I just didn't want the little thing to get ran over by a car or a truck. That's why I picked it up and I'd do it again tomorrow if it happened,” James Greenmo said.

The girl's mother says the three year old is fine and in the care of her grandmother, who's her legal guardian.

Police haven't charged the girl's mother with anything and are referring the case to state social services.

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Posted by: Kymom Location: lexington on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I'm just glad she wasn't found floating at the top of someone's swimming pool. That's how these horrible things always happen. Yes, it may have just been the first time this has happened for her, but all it takes is one time for it to be a disaster. More times than not does it turn out worse than it did this time. I am so glad God was watching over this precious little girl.

Posted by: MJ Location: Lex on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:33 PM
The family was very lucky that a decent person found the child. Anything could have happend to her. Sounds like she is a mental case if is true what the ex-husband has to say about her.

Posted by: Trish Location: KY on Apr 24, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I have a 6yr daughter of my own. She sleeps alone in her room and everynight she gets up and comes to my bed. I put her to bed as always and i went to bed an hour later only to be woke up by the KSP to find my daughter had ran outside across the street to the backdoor of a neighbor! I couldn't believe it! She is afaid of the dark and she won't even let me go outside without her. she hates being alone. This is the first and only time it happened, I put a lock at the top of the door the next day! It is so easy for them to slip out of our site. I feel for the child, exspecially since the mother changes her story! Lets just hope this doesn't happen again! I know it won't with my daughter!

Posted by: margie Location: georgetown on Apr 24, 2008 at 10:05 AM
how did she know the child suddenly ran out of the house if she was asleep the child needs to be put in a safe home.the truck driver should have a medal he is a hero,thank god for people like him

Posted by: a parent Location: KY on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:16 AM
I have read a few posts, and I agree with some of them. One thing, the mother nor the grandmother is here to defend themselves. We dont know the circumstances surrounding why the grandmother was not there. Some people give up custody to a parent because of youth, not always drugs. I have never left neither of my 2 children awake and went to sleep, nor have I ever taken drugs or got drunk and passed out. I think all children should be protected, but we shouldnt be quick to judge. The mother could have gotten off work, the grandmother needed to go out for a few minutes, the mother fell asleep. Granted there should have been locks on the top of the door, but we shouldnt judge this woman, nor the grandmother. I have my opinions as well as you do, but we need the facts before we can condemn. I am happy there was someone watching over the little girl, God placed her angel in a truck that day. The suddenly ran out remark, maybe just an expression used by a Kentuckian. Judge not lest be judged.

Posted by: c Location: fkt on Apr 24, 2008 at 07:49 AM
You have to watch children closely & if you're tired & need to sleep, then find a babysitter! I have a 5 & 6 yr old & I have to keep the doors locked at all times. They are both autistic & would take off in a minute, if the doors weren't locked. I wouldn't dare sit down if I'm tired in fear I might fall asleep. Like others, I would like to know why grandma has custody of the child in the first place & where was the grandmother? The truck driver is a hero in my book, he saw a need, & acted accordingly! Good people are still out there!

Posted by: vina Location: mccreary co. on Apr 24, 2008 at 12:53 AM
thank god the truck driver that saw the little girl was a good man..who would contact the police..and not a scum bag who would just run away with her..thank you mr. greenmo and may god bless you ..for saving that little baby..

Posted by: Guest on Apr 23, 2008 at 10:48 PM
how did she know the girl sudden ran out if she was sleeping?

Posted by: Mark Location: Evarts on Apr 23, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I am her x and this isnt the first time. Maybe with this one (not mine), but thats exactly why I took custody of my son away from her with supervised visitation. You cant feel sorry for someone who has 3 children and custody of none, her own faults. Things like this do happen to good people too, but should be investigated to every extent possible, because they are not all innocent! My current wife and I are raising 8 children and have NO problem whatso ever in making sure they are ALL safe at ALL times. Good parenting requires good parents! Maybe the grandmother needs to take her daughter for what she is........a bad parent, and keep the girls away from her without constant ADULT supervision.!!!!!!!

Posted by: Angie on Apr 23, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I am a mother myself,I do know how hard it can be considering i have three children. I just cant grasp it how the mother could have fallen asleep while a precious little angel was in her presence. Maybe the mother should of called the legal guardian (grandmother) if she was that tired. They invented these things called door locks, baby gates, they work miracles. I really think maybe its in the little girls best interest, and for her safety that the mother doesnt have custody....Thank god for Mr. Greemo. I mean these days you cant trust anyone, and that little girl could of been another on the list of missing person. I just hope the grandmother thinks twice next time before letting the irresponsible mother spend time with her daughter, i mean fall asleep on her daughter.

Posted by: Me! Location: Ky on Apr 23, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I worked third shift when my kids were small. I was a single parent that loved to spend time with the kids. I had locks on the top of the doors just for this reason. I also had childproof latches on cabinets and drawers. Any parent with concern for their children watch them closley and take precautionary measures to assure nothing bad happens to them. Even then accidents do happen. But not a 3 year old wandering down a state hwy in their nightgown!!!!Take them for good. Do not let this low life or the grandmother have them back. Apparently the grandmother was not around or piled up in the bed as well.Put her in a safe home.

Posted by: Joey Location: KY on Apr 23, 2008 at 12:05 PM
She fell asleep or passed out? Also, she said she fell asleep and the girl suddenly ran out of the house. If she was asleep, how does she know she "SUDDENLY" ran out of the house. I have to agree with Judy in Pineville. If grandma has custody, what does that say about the mother? I can spot a lie and she is telling one. You don't phrase that a child "suddenly' ran out of the house while at the same time saying you were asleep. If drugs were involved (and I'm guessing they were), take the child away permanently!

Posted by: ann Location: harlan on Apr 23, 2008 at 11:55 AM
whats going on with parents these days

Posted by: GWEN Location: Lexington on Apr 23, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Way to go Mr. Truck Driver! You did the right thing to protect a child who was in harm's way. I hope any person would do exactly as you did, protect the life and safety of a child. It's all of our responsibility to ensure children are safe. God puts us where He knows we need to be, and you was definately in the right place, at the right time.

Posted by: J Location: KY on Apr 23, 2008 at 07:17 AM
Good for you, Mr. Greenmo..Thank God the Good Samaritian is still around.

Posted by: blah blah blah Location: kentucky on Apr 23, 2008 at 06:02 AM
having raised 2 daughters an now raising 2 of my sister in laws kids that was took because of abuse ages 5 an 7 i know how easy a child can disappear in a sec dont turn your back for a sec really dont turn your head or theyre gone this would be a hard case to decide she shoulve been keeping a eye out on the kid but then again the child wasnt being abused or starved which is the main thing maybe this a be a hard lesson learned for the lady

Posted by: MC Location: Harlan Co on Apr 23, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Are you kiddin me ? Who falls asleep and leaves a 3 year old to roam around inside or outside? no wonder she dont have custody of the little girl. THANK GOD nuthin happened to her.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Floyd County on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Thank God that baby is safe.. Many thanks to the truck driver... This could have ended tragically...I am curious to know why is the grandmother the legal guardian of this precious baby girl? How far away from the home was she? Just curious to know how long mommy was asleep? This baby had a guardian angel with her..

Posted by: Judy Location: Pineville on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:14 PM
This woman must not have been a good mother in the first place to have given up legal guardianship . Where was the grandmother:....

Posted by: Concerned Location: E. KY on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Ms. Gilpin's ONE LITTLE MISTAKE could have cost her child its life!! I know that it is hard to watch a 3 year old and they can be quite adventurous. However, there should have been locks on the door that the child could not reach!! That's just common sense!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:03 PM
well at least its alive. thanks to the truck driver

Posted by: wolfie Location: coldiron on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:56 PM
that wasn't one little mistake, that was a huge one that could've cost her , her life. some people aren't ment to be parents, and apparently she isn't one of them.

Posted by: Citizen Location: KY on Apr 22, 2008 at 09:40 PM
This owuld be a tough desicon to believe the moether or not, but thinsg liek thsi do happen so they are in my prayers...God will do whats best adn right fo rteh little girl.

Posted by: Catherine Location: Harlan on Apr 22, 2008 at 06:55 PM
I read the statement of the mother.. and i am like well,, ok,,,, she told a different tale,, she first said the little girl was playing in the yard with her dad,, and ran off... and then i read this.... oh my goodness... which was it?????

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