Toddler found after 4 a.m. on East Boston street

Toddler found after 4 a.m. on East Boston street

September 17, 2008 01:44 PM

By Globe Staff

A small boy, 1 1/2 to 2 years old, wearing a light-blue pajama top with dogs printed on it, blue jean shorts, white socks, and black and blue sneakers, was out for a walk today in a harborside neighborhood in East Boston, police said.

The only problem: It was just after 4 a.m. -- and he was alone.

A livery driver spotted the child with dark, curly brown hair and brown eyes on White Street near Meridian Street and, because it was late and there was no one on the street, called 911.

Police arriving at the scene found the driver holding the child in his arms. The boy's legs felt cool to the touch -- the temperature dropped into the 50s last night -- so he was placed in a police car and taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Officers canvassed the area looking for the boy's parents or witnesses. With no luck. Then, at about 6:30 a.m. officers received a report that a frantic female was looking for her son on White Street.

The woman told officers that she put her children to bed around midnight and when she woke up at about 6 a.m. she noticed that her son was missing, police said in a statement.

The mother was taken to the hopsital where she was reunited with her son. Alison Goodwin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Children and Families, said the agency will investigate and, if neglect is found, offer services. Officials did not release the name of the boy or his mother.