Clinton Babysitter Who Ran Over Toddler Gets Accelerated Rehab Program

MIDDLETOWN, CT – A babysitter who accidentally ran over a toddler while driving in Clinton last year has been granted accelerated rehabilitation, according to her attorney.

A judge in Superior Court in Middletown granted the program to Maria Santiago, 56, of Clinton, on Wednesday, her attorney, Charles Tiernan, said.

If Santiago successfully completes a two-year period of probation, charges stemming from the accident will be dropped.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch website shows Santiago is next due in court on Jan. 20, 2027.

Tiernan said the boy, who was two-years-old at the time, has fully recovered.

“The young boy is doing well and has no residual issues from the accident,” Tiernan said. “My client is happy the child is OK. She lives with this every day and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from what happened.”

Tiernan asserted the accelerated rehabilitation program was an appropriate one for his client.

“There is no doubt that she won’t offend in the future,” Tiernan said.

Police charged Santiago in July with risk of injury to a child and failure to properly restrain a child in a motor vehicle.

The accident happened on Sunnybrook Lane on May 14, 2024. At the time, police said the child had been unrestrained in the backseat. As Santiago was driving, the child opened a door and fell out of the vehicle, then was run over, according to police. The toddler was taken to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital for treatment for his injuries.