A joint investigation between Alexandria Police and Child Protective Services is underway after a little girl was reportedly “abandoned” on South Van Dorn Street Wednesday night.
It was approximately 9:45 p.m. when police responded to witness reports that a man left a child in front of 8 South Van Dorn Street, says APD. Officers found a little girl that they estimated was between 1 to 2 years old. She was “dressed in warm clothing and in apparent good health,” but no one in the area claimed to know the child or who she belonged to, the department statement.
Alexandria Child Protective Services was notified and took the little girl into custody. Meanwhile, shortly before midnight, police issued an urgent public appeal asking anyone with information about the child or the parents to call 911.
In an update on Thursday, APD reported the girl was in the custody of Child Welfare Services and was “doing well.”
Apparently having found some of the child’s relatives, APD said detectives and social workers were meeting with members of the family “who are assisting with the ongoing joint investigation.”
APD also reported that detectives have located possible video of the vehicle used by the person who left the child. Officers are working to identify that vehicle and the owner. The department said they are also working with the appropriate agencies “looking into any reported missing children that could be related.”
APD is still asking anyone with information about this incident to reach out. Calls should now be directed to 703-746-4444 and tips will remain anonymous, the department says.
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