FROM THE MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
A toddler found walking alone with a puppy on Charmwood Drive has been identified, and the mother located. The child was with a babysitter when he was able to get out of the home. The Department of Human Resources is involved, but that is standard protocol. It does not mean anything criminal occurred according to Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson. The matter remains under investigation.
From Chief Johnson –
On Friday, October 6, 2023, Millbrook police officers responded to the 2800 Block of Charmwood Drive with regard to an unattended juvenile roaming the area. After attempts to locate the juvenile’s parent or a responsible party were unsuccessful, the juvenile was taken into protective custody and transported to the Millbrook Police Department. Due to the age of the juvenile and the circumstances involved, the Department of Human Resources was contacted to assist in this case.
Pursuant to an investigation and after seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the juvenile’s parent’s, Millbrook detectives have learned the identity of the juvenile’s mother, who has been contacted and is making arrangements to meet with investigators. The juvenile has been turned over to officials with the Alabama Department of Human Resources until the mother has contact with law enforcement.
First of all, I want to thank everyone in our community, as well as our news media for their assistance and response in this case. Most importantly, someone saw this child unsupervised and notified law enforcement. When our officers were unable to locate a parent or responsible party, the child was taken to the police department, where I can assure you, he was well loved on and attended, as we attempted to find his parents. As protocol dictates in such cases, we contacted the Department of Human Resources, who responded to assist in this case.
Based on the information that we have at this time, it appears that the juvenile was left in the care of a teenager while the mother was at work. It appears that the child was able to manipulate the door lock and exited the residence undetected.
During the investigation, it was determined that the Department of Human Resources would take temporary custody of the juvenile, as investigators continued their attempts to identify and contact the parent(s). Once law enforcement and DHR officials are able to interview the parent, a determination will be made with regard to criminal charges being filed in this case. The two most important things here are, first and foremost, the child’s safety and to ensure that something like this never happens again. This situation ended about as well as it could, with this child being safe. Thanks again to all who reached out to assist us in this case.
