Cary, NC – A surprise intruder caused a stir at Greenwood Forest Children’s Center in Cary after a long holiday weekend. Staff returned to find candy wrappers, scattered items, and damaged artwork, leading to a puzzling closure that was later revealed to involve a clever raccoon nicknamed “Ringo.”
Parents, like Justin Brosseau, were initially caught off guard when the school sent notifications about delays and eventual closure. “We’re like, that’s weird, okay,” Brosseau said. It wasn’t until later that an email from the school director shared the full story.
Cary Animal Services got involved after staff discovered small paw prints and a video showing the raccoon roaming the halls and even falling from the roof. Animal Control Supervisor Chuck Haggist, who led the rescue, noted that Ringo had likely been inside the building for two days, leaving paw prints near windows as he tried to find an escape.
“Raccoons are probably one of the smartest animals to deal with,” Haggist explained. “They have thumbs and can open cabinets and get into spaces. We had to check every nook and cranny.”
The search led Haggist and his team to a storage room where Ringo had holed up among bins and boxes. After some effort, they safely captured and released him back into the wild, as required by state law. “He ran away. He was alive and well,” Haggist said.
While it remains unclear how Ringo got inside, the rescue operation highlighted the evolving attitudes toward wildlife encounters. “Twenty years ago, someone might have called to kill the raccoon,” Haggist reflected. “Now people are asking how we can save this animal.”
The preschool turned the incident into a memorable story for the children, with the director crafting “The Adventures of Ringo the Raccoon” to explain the event in a child-friendly way. Parents like Emily Crawford appreciated the creative approach, noting how the story became a learning opportunity. “It’s unusual, but everything can be a learning opportunity for a preschooler,” she said.
Families returned to school after a thorough cleaning, with Ringo’s tale continuing to be a topic of fascination. Brosseau shared how the story taught compassion and kindness: “I think that’s the message we really need to share with our children.”
As unusual as the incident was, it left a lasting impression, reminding the community that even a mischievous raccoon can spark a week of lessons and laughter.
