MARIETTA, GA — A 22-year-old caregiver is facing charges after a 3-year-old boy was found wandering along Franklin Gateway in Marietta Monday night.
Two women spotted the child along the busy roadway and stopped to watch over him while calling police for help.
The boy did not speak to the women or the officers who responded. Police sent out media alerts, and the child’s family was located a few hours later not far from where he was found.
“Through the investigation it was later determined that the 3-year-old child was left in the care of a caregiver, but that caregiver is now facing two different charges. Cruelty to children in the second as well as reckless conduct,” Marietta Police spokesman Chuck McPhilamy said.
McPhilamy said the situation could have ended differently.
“This is a child that was out on a busy roadway and not only could be struck by a vehicle, but also could have been abducted by anyone with bad intentions,” McPhilamy said.
The 22-year-old caregiver, Maria Rivera is in custody and faces charges of second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
The boy was reunited with his family.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Lisa Nicholas contributed to this story.