Review of Winnipeg preschool launched by province after mom found son, 3, alone in the cold

The province has launched a review of a Winnipeg preschool after a mom found her three-year-son outside and alone in the cold.

The province has launched a review of a Winnipeg preschool after a mom found her three-year-son outside and alone in the cold.

Teeghan Butler, the boy’s mom, said it happened last Friday when she was picking him up for the day.

“I was terrified,” Butler said. “It was really scary to see my son just standing there completely alone.”

Butler said she had contacted the St. James Early Learning Program to say she was running late.

When she got to the church the program runs out of about 20 minutes later than normal, Butler saw her son standing outside the entrance hugging a tree under no supervision.

“I immediately ran to him and grabbed him and made sure he was safe and okay and put him in the car to warm him up because he was freezing,” Butler said.

The preschool program is licensed by the province. A provincial spokesperson said it was made aware of the incident Monday and has launched a review due to “the potential substantial concerns regarding safety practices that resulted in the situation.”