A non-verbal toddler believed to be about 3 to 4 years old was found wandering alone in Gastonia today and came close to being struck by a passing vehicle, according to police. Officers brought the child to the Gastonia Police Department, kept him comfortable with snacks and cartoons, and canvassed the surrounding neighborhood in search of a guardian. Gaston County social services later took custody of the child, and police say the parent has since been located.
According to Queen City News, a concerned motorist who almost hit the boy called authorities, prompting officers to respond and begin door-to-door inquiries. Officers searched nearby streets and spoke with neighbors while the child stayed at the station, the outlet reports, but at first they were unable to find a parent or guardian. Queen City News reports that the Gaston County Department of Social Services later took custody of the child as the search wrapped up.
Social Services To Decide Next Steps
The Gaston County Department of Social Services, the county agency that handles child-welfare cases, is responsible for assessing the child's immediate needs and deciding where the child will be placed, including possible foster or kinship care. For background on the agency and its local office, see the county's Social Services page at Gaston County Department of Social Services. County social services workers typically coordinate with police and the district attorney's office when a child is found alone and questions about custody or safety arise.
Why Non-Verbal Kids Alone Trigger High-Alert Response
Officers and neighbors move quickly in situations like this because a non-verbal child may not be able to share a name, address or contact for a guardian. Public health and autism groups note that wandering, sometimes called elopement, is a known safety risk for children with developmental differences and that families and first responders benefit from planning, identification tools and community resources. For guidance on prevention and first-responder protocols, see resources from the CDC and the National Autism Association.
Police said the parent was located and no injuries were reported in this incident, which remains under review by local authorities, according to Queen City News. Anyone with information about the case can contact the Gastonia Police Department or the Gaston County Department of Social Services.
