That is all thanks to Collins, who was in the right place at the right time.

Collins, 33, of Cheektowaga, a mother of two, is assistant food service director of Garden Gate Nursing Facility. She said she has been driving for the ride-hailing service Uber for about a year.

When she realized that what she saw moving by the side of the road was a toddler, she stopped the car, picked him up, put her coat on him and put him in a seat belt. She said he had pajamas and socks on and did not seem to be injured or in any distress.

"I asked him basic questions – 'What’s your name? Where’s Mommy?' – He said Mommy was at work, and when I asked where, he just pointed," she said.

She said the child told her he was cold so she made sure he was warm and gave him a bottle of water she had in the car. She decided to take him to Children's Hospital to make sure he was OK.

"I just wanted to take him to the safest place, for him and myself," she said.

At the hospital, emergency workers were grateful that someone took the initiative to bring the child in. But Collins said she didn't want to leave him and he seemed to be comfortable with her. So she stayed at the hospital until 6 a.m. and would have stayed longer if she didn't have to be at work by 8.