Jennifer Daniel is $5 million richer after hitting the maximum jackpot on a $20 California Lottery Scratch-off ticket.

Public Information Officer Melissa Villarin confirmed that a $5 million winning ticket from Stanislaus County was claimed Wednesday morning, June 17 by Daniel after friends in the area contacted the Leader to relay the good news.

“I stopped to use the restroom because I couldn’t hold it until I got to the office,” explained Daniel in a California Lottery press release. “I walked into the CVS, used the restroom and on my way out I saw the lottery machine.”

Daniel, 38, said she likes playing the Ultimate Riches Scratchers, so she put a $20 in the machine, grabbed her ticket, scratched off the barcode and scanned it. That’s when everything changed – a message on the screen showed she was a $5 million winner.

“I was very calm,” Daniel said of that moment. “I was just smiling, no screaming or anything like that.”

While there wasn’t any hooting or hollering in that moment, there were plenty of tears of joy when Daniel told her family the good news. And it was her family that first came to mind when asked about how she was going to spend her new fortune.

“My number one thing is to pay off my parents’ house and pay off their car so my mom can retire,.” Daniel said through the Lottery.  “And then I want to pay off my own house and put some money aside for my son’s school. I want to invest most of it.”

Though the Leader learned where Daniel works, she asked that the information be withheld soas not to cause any disruptions.

She said the winnings are also going to allow her to spend more time with her number one priority – her son.

“I’m not going to have to work six days a week and be on the overtime list at work,” Daniel said on Wednesday.  “I can just work eight hours a day and enjoy my days and spend time with my son.”

Villarin also stated the winning ticket was purchased at the CVS Store on North Carpenter Road in Modesto. The store will receive $25,000 for selling the winning ticket.