A 1-year-old was dropped off at a Union City day care early Tuesday morning by a man in a white Toyota, then left behind, and now police are asking the public to help them figure out who the child is and who left them there.
Officers say the man pulled up just before 7:30 a.m., left the toddler at the facility on Union Street, then drove off. The child, described as weighing about 20 pounds with brown eyes and black hair, is now in the care of local authorities while investigators sort out what happened.
According to Atlanta News First, Union City police are asking anyone with information about the child or the man who dropped them off to call 911 or reach the department directly at 770-306-6849. The station reported that authorities have not released the toddler's name or any details about the circumstances leading up to the drop-off, though a photo of the child was shared by the department.
Police Response And Where To Call
The Union City Police Department lists its main office at 5060 Union Street, along with a non-emergency line at (404) 730-7911. The city notes that the department serves roughly 22,000 residents across about 18 square miles, a relatively compact area that still keeps patrol and investigations teams busy.
As of the initial media reports, it was not clear whether investigators had identified the driver of the white Toyota or confirmed why the child was left at the day care. For now, the focus is on tracking down anyone who recognizes the toddler or the description of the man who dropped the child off.
State Child-Welfare Process
In Georgia, reports involving abandoned or neglected children are typically handled by or cross-referred to the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services. DFCS operates a statewide intake system for child-welfare reports and publishes a primary contact number for the public to use if they have concerns about a child's safety.
When DFCS becomes involved, the agency works alongside local law enforcement to assess the child's immediate safety, determine what services are needed, and arrange temporary placement if necessary. That process runs in parallel with any criminal investigation that might follow.
Possible Criminal Consequences
Leaving a dependent child without proper care can carry serious legal consequences in Georgia. State law defines and criminalizes abandonment, with penalties that vary depending on the situation. The statute on abandonment, O.C.G.A. 19-10-1, outlines the elements prosecutors review when deciding whether to bring charges in such cases.
Anyone who recognizes the child or has information about the man who dropped the toddler off is urged to call 911 or contact the Union City Police tip line at 770-306-6849, according to Atlanta News First. Union City officials had not released additional details as of the latest update, and more information is expected as the investigation moves forward.
