SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Salem police helped corral two wandering toddlers — one escorted by the family dog — and took action against two sets of parents.
Neither child was hurt although one wearing only a diaper was very cold.
Deputy Police Chief Debbie Baker was off duty Sunday morning when she spotted the first child, a 2-year-old boy walking with his dog along a busy road in south Salem. Officers use the dog’s pet registry ID to locate an address. Lt. Dave Okada says police found the mother asleep with the door open, unaware the child had slipped away. Police say they also found indications of recent marijuana use and several open containers of alcohol within reach of the child. The boy was taken into protective custody. The 21-year-old parents were arrested for investigation of criminal mistreatment.
In the second case, a young diaper-clad toddler was found Sunday night wandering about two blocks from his home. Police say he had passed a large creek swollen by recent rains. Police say those parents had been smoking marijuana when they realized the child was gone. They were cited for endangering the welfare of a minor.
