A resident found a young boy wandering down the street in his underwear near 2nd Street and 184th East Avenue, prompting police to appeal to the public for help locating his parents. The child, identified as Thorin, was discovered alone in the area, and authorities said they are still trying to track down his family.
Police Identify Child as Thorin, Father as Donovan
According to KTUL, the Tulsa Police Department said it is looking for the parents of a child found near 2nd Street and 184th East Avenue. The outlet reported that the child's name is Thorin and that his father's name is Donovan, though no additional details about the circumstances were released. Police asked anyone with information on the child's parents to call 918-596-9222.
Tulsa Has Seen Similar Cases Before
Tulsa police have responded to a handful of comparable incidents involving young children found alone in recent years. In one instance, a man found a four-year-old girl walking alone in the 9700 block of East 21st Street early one morning, according to NewsOn6, which reported that other officers eventually learned where the girl lived and took her home.
In a separate case detailed by the same outlet, a two-year-old found by Tulsa police remained in the custody of the Department of Human Services until a thorough investigation was completed. And in another incident at a Tulsa apartment complex, NewsOn6 reported that the Tulsa Police Department and DHS were investigating the family situation to ensure the child's safety after the child's father was later located.
The police appeal for information about Thorin’s family is separate from Oklahoma’s child-abuse reporting system. State guidance says Oklahomans must report suspected or known child abuse or neglect to the statewide, 24-hour child-abuse and neglect hotline. The Oklahoma State Department of Health says to call 911 if a child is in immediate danger; Tulsa police gave a separate number for information in this case.
A child found alone may prompt a safety assessment, but it does not by itself establish neglect or determine what happens next. Oklahoma Child Protective Services investigates or assesses allegations and, when safety concerns are identified, may work with a family on a safety plan or ask a judge to place a child in state custody. The agency’s stated approach is to manage safety threats while keeping children in their homes when that can be done safely, as outlined in its Child Protective Services procedures.
