Australian Daycare Gives Wrong Child to Grandfather, Mother in Shock

Childcare Mix-Up Causes Trauma for Sydney Family

A childcare center in New South Wales, Australia, has caused significant distress to a mother after staff mistakenly handed her 1-year-old son to another child's grandfather. The incident occurred on September 4, 2025, when the mother arrived to pick up her child only to be told someone else had already collected him.

Security Footage Reveals Mistaken Identity

"I can't explain how I felt," the mother told The Sydney Morning Herald. "They couldn't tell me who he was or which child he was supposed to pick up, only that it was an older man in shorts." Security camera footage eventually helped identify the man who had taken the wrong child home.

Two-Hour Ordeal Ends Safely

The grandfather, who was equally shocked by the mistake, had arrived while children were sleeping in a dark room. He and his wife fell asleep upon returning home. When he realized his error—likely after being contacted—he "raced" back to return the boy, approximately two hours later.

"I'm angry with him but also feel sorry for him," said the wife of the man who took the wrong child. "He loves his grandchildren. He's completely distraught—he can't sleep, he can't eat."

Childcare Center Accepts Responsibility

The mother holds no ill will toward the grandfather, stating, "We're not angry with him—it's the childcare center's fault." The childcare organization has apologized, and regulators have launched a thorough investigation.

A state parliament member noted this wasn't an isolated incident, attributing such errors to underfunded services relying on temporary staff. Child safety protocols in Australian childcare facilities typically include strict identification verification procedures, but this case highlights potential vulnerabilities in the system.