South Jersey Woman Abandoned Special Needs Son, 10, In Woods: Cops

A 39-year-old New Jersey woman was arrested after leaving her 10-year-old son who has special needs in the woods, according to state police.

Debra Wisler, 39, of Millville was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after leaving the boy with his luggage in Springfield Township, Burlington County, police said.

The incident happened on Thursday, when a passing motorist spotted the boy in a wooded area near the visitor’s center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, police said.

The motorist contacted military personnel, who brought the boy to the visitor’s center. He was given food, water and then evaluated by military first responders who determined that he had minor, non-life threatening injuries, police said.

The boy told employees of the visitor’s center that his mother walked him into the woods with his luggage and left him there. He stated that he fell asleep and woke up hungry, police said.

The boy was able to provide his mother’s name and phone number to employees who then contacted Wisler, police said.

State police detectives assumed custody of the boy and brought him to Bordentown Station. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency was contacted, and they were able locate a temporary home for him, police said.

On Friday, Wisler spoke with troopers at Bordentown Station. Detectives determined that when Wisler discovered that her son was not eligible for a child program at Joint Base McGuire-Dix, she walked him to a nearby wooded area and left him there with only his luggage, police said.

Wisler was then arrested and then charged. She was released pending a court date.

State Police photo