A 6-year-old girl was found wandering alone late at night in Santa Clarita, California, wearing only a diaper, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, when a passerby called 911 after seeing the child crossing a major intersection.
The witness who spotted the girl described her as having apparent developmental challenges. “I was trying to stop her, but then she was just running from me, so I called the cops, and they found her over here,” Julius Rivera told KTLA.
Deputies used the child’s iPad to determine her name and home address. When they arrived at the residence, deputies said they found the girl’s mother asleep inside. According to officials, the mother showed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, impaired coordination, and a strong odor of alcohol.
Authorities stated that the mother was unaware her daughter had left home. Due to the child’s age, developmental condition, distance traveled from home, and the mother’s impaired state, deputies determined there was “a clear and present risk of serious injury or death.”
The mother was arrested on a felony charge of child endangerment with possible injury or death. Deputies did not release her name.
The girl’s father has since taken over her care following notification by authorities. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services is monitoring the case.
Santa Clarita is located about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.