NORTH BALTIMORE, OH | Parent Issues Public Warning About Newborn Caregiver in North Baltimore

A local mother is urging other families to be cautious after raising serious concerns about a woman who provided in‑home childcare for her infant in North Baltimore. The parent says she never imagined having to make such a public statement, but felt compelled to speak out “as a mother” after her experience with caregiver Riley Engard.

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According to the mother, her baby was in Engard’s care for several months and things seemed fine at first. The caregiver appeared kind and attentive, and there were no immediate red flags. Over time, however, the parent says a series of changes made her increasingly uncomfortable.

One of the first major concerns, she says, was no longer being allowed inside the home at pickup time and being told to wait outside for her baby to be brought out. Communication reportedly deteriorated as well. The mother says Engard often could not answer basic questions such as what the baby had eaten that day or how naps had gone. On several occasions, the parent says she noticed worrisome issues only after arriving home—problems she says were never mentioned to her at pickup and which she describes as “absolutely heartbreaking.”

The mother emphasizes that she consistently paid early, supplied diapers and other necessities, and tried to be supportive, even bringing food or coffee on difficult days. Despite this, she says her concerns were not clearly addressed and she received no satisfactory explanations.

After removing her child from care, the mother says she began speaking with other parents who had previously used the same provider. Several, she reports, shared similar worries, including what they believed were infrequent diaper changes and lack of basic communication about the children’s day.

A mother of four, she says she has never had an experience like this with any other childcare provider and stresses that she does not make such public accusations lightly. She decided to post her warning on Facebook, where she says she received overwhelming support and private messages from community members echoing her concerns.

The parent says she has since filed a police report so that her allegations are formally documented and can be reviewed by authorities. She hopes that by coming forward, other families will carefully research caregivers, ask direct questions, and trust their instincts if something does not feel right.

“Please be cautious and trust your instincts when choosing childcare,” she wrote. “Our babies are innocent and depend on us to protect them.”