Child, 4, Found Wandering; Investigation Continues: Middletown PD

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to a 4-year-old child walking away from their home during the early morning hours on Tuesday.

At around 4 a.m., Middletown police responded to a report of a child found wandering in the area of 992 East Street in Middletown.

The child, who was only wearing a disposable diaper, was seen by a passing motorist who stopped to help and called police, according to Sgt. William Porter. The child was evaluated by Hunter’s Ambulance personnel at the scene and was taken to Middlesex Hospital for further evaluation.

The child was found to be “in general good health,” according to Porter.

Before identifying the parents and “out of an abundance of caution,” the Department of Children and Families placed a 96-hour hold on the child while they investigated along with police, according to Porter.

“A reverse 911 call was placed to residential addresses in Middletown advising of the found child and asking for the community’s assistance in obtaining the child’s identity and locating the child’s parents,” Porter wrote in a news release. “Additional information was relayed by police through social media and assistance reporting by local news outlets. Based on the media coverage, calls were received by the Middletown Police resulting in identifying the parents and the home from which the child had walked away. The child’s parents have been cooperating with investigators.

“A joint investigation with DCF is continuing in order to determine the circumstances leading to the child walking away from the home.”

Police said the names of the parents aren’t being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

“The Middletown Police Department is grateful for the caring actions of the motorists along with the assistance of the media outlets whose coverage were instrumental in locating the child’s parents.”