State police and Department of Social Services officials are investigating the possibility of child neglect after a 3-year-old boy was found cold and walking barefoot on Park Avenue in Mount Airy Sunday morning.
The boy, whose diaper and clothing were soaked, was turned over to Social Services, according to a police report.
"He was brought to the Westminster barracks and turned over to social worker," said 1st Sgt. Steve Reynolds.
A spokesman for Social Services declined to "either confirm or deny" the child was turned over to the agency nor would he provide any other information.
If Social Services investigates allegations of neglect, all information is kept "completely confidential," said Alan Katz, Social Services assistant director.
"We do an investigation and do whatever is necessary to protect the child," Mr. Katz said.
State police said the child was found in Mount Airy by two volunteer firefighters, Robert Mundy and Raymond Mullinix, who said the child was barefoot and cold and was unable to give his address. At the Westminster barracks, officers gave the boy dry and clean clothing, police said.
Investigators said they were able to locate the parents, who live on Park Avenue off Route 27 in Mount Airy, at 12:30 p.m., more than four hours after the boy was found wandering the street.
Police said the boy was dressed in black sweat pants and a sweat shirt, but was not wearing shoes. They said they had not received any calls for a missing boy in that area in the four-hour period.