Clarkson, N.Y. — An Orleans County man allegedly entered a Clarkson daycare center while it was closed, stole diapers and formula and left notes behind indicating he wanted to pretend to be a baby girl.
Police said they took Daniel Seeler, 65, of Holley, into custody Feb. 18 shortly after he ran out the back door of Inspire! Learning and Childcare on Lake Road, about 1 mile north of Brockport.
The center's director told police an employee found $120 along with a hand-written note Monday, Jan. 30 asking if the daycare had adult-size diapers and if the staff would "play along." The director says they immediately contacted law enforcement upon discovery of the break-in, and decided to install a surveillance camera.
The director said a similar note was found the following Monday, along with $200.
After receiving an alert that the security system had been activated Saturday morning, Feb. 11, the director said she arrived at the center to find someone had gone through children's diaper bins and left another note and money.
The director said the note included sizes for pants, shoes, bras and dresses, with the man indicating he liked to play as a baby girl and called himself "Baby Danielle."
After receiving another alert the following Saturday morning, the director said she called 911 and saw surveillance video showing a man playing with diapers and piecing them together to make a bigger one. She said the man went into the bathroom, pulled his pants down, put the diaper on and then put his pants over it before running out of the building.
She said she later found someone drank half of a bottle of formula, used a bib and stole three diapers.
Police said Seeler, who allegedly entered through a door the director says was locked, fully admitted his involvement, and said he was working through addiction.
Seeler is charged with burglary and petit larceny. He was released on an appearance ticket, after police determined he was not a danger to the facility's children or staff.
Tony D’Agostino, the daycare's owner, said Seeler was not known to staff members. D'Agostino said the daycare is cooperating with the investigation and is focused on the children's safety. He said the center has made changes to increase security, including door locks.
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