Child found Cook County forest
Child found Cook County forest, Cook County authorities said Wednesday that they have opened a criminal investigation into the parents of a 3-year-old girl who was found wandering the streets alone.
Three people stopped to help the little girl, who was crying and waving her arms as she walked near a busy intersection in Prospect Heights on Tuesday night, said Cook County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith.
The girl knew her first name and was able to tell police that she had been left alone at a nearby forest preserve, authorities said. She did not know her last name or her parents’ names.
“It appears she was intentionally left, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding that,” Smith said.
The father is in custody in another state. Smith declined to provide additional details on where he was being held or why he was out of state. Officials said the family lives in Lake County.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has opened a separate investigation into the father, looking into allegations of neglect, spokesman Andrew Flach said.
The girl was taken to a hospital and cleared medically before she was placed in the care of a relative, officials said.
DCFS has no prior contact with the family.
The girl was found by the passersby about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road. The Cook County sheriff's office sent out an alert, asking for help in identifying the child. Later Tuesday, the girl's family came forward, authorities said.She was far away from any place she was familiar with,” Smith said.Authorities believe she was left alone for a few hours before she was found.
“At this point, there’s a wide range of potential criminal charges, including abandonment,” Smith said.
The girl was dropped off at a relative’s home about 3 a.m. Wednesday, the family said.
“She is doing OK,” the relative told the Tribune. “She is not hurt.”
Three people stopped to help the little girl, who was crying and waving her arms as she walked near a busy intersection in Prospect Heights on Tuesday night, said Cook County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith.
The girl knew her first name and was able to tell police that she had been left alone at a nearby forest preserve, authorities said. She did not know her last name or her parents’ names.
“It appears she was intentionally left, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding that,” Smith said.
The father is in custody in another state. Smith declined to provide additional details on where he was being held or why he was out of state. Officials said the family lives in Lake County.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has opened a separate investigation into the father, looking into allegations of neglect, spokesman Andrew Flach said.
The girl was taken to a hospital and cleared medically before she was placed in the care of a relative, officials said.
DCFS has no prior contact with the family.
The girl was found by the passersby about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road. The Cook County sheriff's office sent out an alert, asking for help in identifying the child. Later Tuesday, the girl's family came forward, authorities said.She was far away from any place she was familiar with,” Smith said.Authorities believe she was left alone for a few hours before she was found.
“At this point, there’s a wide range of potential criminal charges, including abandonment,” Smith said.
The girl was dropped off at a relative’s home about 3 a.m. Wednesday, the family said.
“She is doing OK,” the relative told the Tribune. “She is not hurt.”
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Child found Cook County forest
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