The parents of a San Bernardino three-year-old who wandered from his family’s home and onto a southern California freeway on Saturday morning were exceedingly grateful after their child was rescued. As of Sunday, they were not facing charges.
Just after 9 a.m. on Saturday morning the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) was alerted that a self-identified retired Los Angeles police officer had found a toddler on the Interstate 210 in San Bernardino, according to public information officer Vicki Cervantes. The man had first informed the California Highway patrol that he found the child in the right hand lane on the eastbound side of the freeway, and that the little one was safely in his care.
The child had wandered from home, according to ABC 7. About 45 minutes before the call came in on the found child, the little boy’s mother had called law enforcement to report her missing toddler, and police had begun searching the large family property. The report states that the small child toddled two blocks to the freeway off-ramp, walked up the ramp and onto the road.
The man reported seeing several cars swerve to avoid running the child over, according to Cervantes’ account on ABC 7. The toddler’s rescuer was able to bring his vehicle to a quick halt, jump out and scoop up the small child. Cervantes remarked at the great potential that the child could have been terribly injured, but was glad it ended with the child safe.
Family and officers reportedly expressed that they were extremely grateful that the child’s rescuer found him before any cars could injure him, according to the local news report. It is believed that the toddler had wandered away from his family’s home on his own. The boy’s relieved parents were not charged with child neglect.
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