Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
Dover– The 2-year-old child that was found wandering in the Redner’s Market parking lot early this morning has been reunited with his parents.
The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. Monday August 29, 2016 when state police were dispatched to the parking lot of Redner’s Market located at 88 Salt Creek Drive, North Dover. A female employee of Redner’s was just getting off work and upon walking to her car, noticed a small child walking through the parking lot. The female immediately brought the child back into the store and called 9-1-1. When the troopers arrived at the store, a search of the surrounding area and parking lot for the parents of the young boy were unsuccessful and with limited vocabulary, the young boy was unable to communicate his or his parent’s names. Troopers then transported the toddler back to Troop 9 in Odessa where he was given some refreshments and snacks while notifications were made to the Division of Family Services and information was posted to social media and news outlets.
At approximately 7:20 a.m. the father of the child contacted 9-1-1 when he awoke and noticed the young boy was missing from the business in which he works located in the same plaza as Redner’s. It was later determined through the interviews with the child’s parents, that the 26-year-old father had brought his son with him to his place of business on the previous night and the two fell asleep on a couch. Sometime in the early morning while the father was still asleep, the child opened the door to the business and walked outside. After searching the area for the young boy, the father first contacted the 30-year-old mother of the child to find out if she had stopped by to pick him up and then dialed 9-1-1.
Both mother and father, who are from Dover, responded to Troop 9 where they were interviewed and the boy was turned over to his mother.
No charges are forthcoming in this incident and no names will be released.
Released: 082916 1540
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**Update #1** Parents of Young Boy Located – North Dover
Dover– The Parents of the young boy have been in contact with troopers and are on their way to be reunited with him.
More details surrounding this incident will be released at a later time.
Released: 082916 0910
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**Original Release**
Young Boy Located – North Dover
Dover– At approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, Monday August 29, 2016, an approximately 2-year-old black male was located wandering through the parking lot of Redner’s Market, located at 88 Salt Creek Drive, Dover. Troopers and store employees attempted to locate the parents of the boy, but were unsuccessful. The young boy is in good health and was transported back to Troop 9 in Odessa where he happy and playing.
Anyone with information into his identity are asked to contact Troop 9 at 302-378-5749 or the State Police Non-Emergency number at 302-739-4863.
Released: 082916 0850