WATERBORO— Two drivers who saw a child dart into a busy roadway early Friday morning wearing nothing but a diaper are being credited with saving the youngster from possible harm.

“This story could have been much worse had it not been for the engaged community members Lori Bourque and Tracy Fowler, who interrupted their morning commute to ensure a child’s safety,” said Sheriff William King.

It appears the child may have slipped out through the pet door in his home, said King.

“Judging from the reaction of the mother, deputies do not believe neglect was a factor, but an adventurous child,” said King.

According to King, at about 5:45 a.m. commuter Lori Bourque was driving to her job in Saco when she noticed “something white” in a driveway. King said Bourque was driving on New Dam Road in the Lake Arrowhead section of Waterboro, a busy roadway during the morning commute. 

“She slowed down and realized she observed a child, about 3 years old, wearing nothing but a diaper,” said King. “The child darted across New Dam Road into another yard. “

Tracy Fowler, who was also commuting to work, observed what was happening and also stopped to help. Realizing the child was only wearing a diaper, Fowler returned to her own home to get some of her own children’s clothing for the youngster. 

The sheriff said Bourque went to a nearby house thinking the child lived there, and found that the resident, Shari Long, did not know the child but allowed the child and her rescuers to come inside while sheriff’s deputies arrived.

Deputies began knocking on doors, looking for the child’s parents.

“Deputies went to several nearby houses in the neighborhood looking for a household that may be missing a child,” said King. “Eventually deputies interviewed some school children waiting at a school bus stop. One student said it might be his brother and provided an address.” 

“Deputies went to the household to find the family missing a child — it appears the mother thought the child was still asleep and in his room while she was getting her other children off to school,” King said. “The investigation revealed that the child may have slipped away through a doggie door around 3:30 a.m. when his father went off to work.”