UPDATE: Little boy found alone at 35th/Avalon

11:18 PM: We just got a call from Southwest Precinct police about a sad case they are handling tonight, and they asked if we could help them solve it: People called 911 around 8:30 tonight to report a little boy crossing the street alone at 35th/Avalon. Nobody had reported a missing child, and police checked apartment buildings in the area but so far haven’t figured out whose child he is. They say CPS is on the way, to arrive after midnight, but maybe you know of someone looking for their child who hasn’t yet called police. They describe him as Black, maybe 5 years old or so but not very communicative, at least 3 feet tall, wearing pajamas with a blue top and multicolor bottom, maroon and tan Crocs shoes and black socks. If you have any information that might connect him with his family, call 911. The SPD incident number is 24-114442.

SUNDAY, 6:55 PM: We just talked with a Southwest Precinct lieutenant who confirms that the child’s family has been found. He didn’t have full details but says it was some sort of issue involving the child’s care provider while the child’s parent(s) were at work overnight.

25 Replies to "UPDATE: Little boy found alone at 35th/Avalon"

  • shed22 April 27, 2024 (11:39 pm)

    My heart broke a little reading this. Thank you WSB for your responsible journalism and bless all those who will help this child navigate what’s next. 

  • ARPigeonPoint April 27, 2024 (11:41 pm)

    Oh no! Sweet baby. ☹️

  • Jesus April 28, 2024 (3:19 am)

    Christ I know there are a bunch of kids in my area that match that description but it would take them a while to get to 35th and Avalon. The only closest places are the apartments. Did someone go into 711 and drive off without checking? 

  • Alki resident April 28, 2024 (6:33 am)

    Little boy may have saved his own life as his caregiver could’ve passed away in apartment or overdosed or medical event. I hope we hear what did happen. 

    • seriously April 28, 2024 (11:18 pm)

      You know most people fall asleep every night? Maybe the caregiver just fell asleep and the kid left by himself. Love the more adventurous narrative but come on. 

  • rose April 28, 2024 (7:13 am)

    I am so sorry to hear this. Please keep us posted. Sad day.

  • casey April 28, 2024 (7:22 am)

    OMG how terrible, I hope they find him safety. 

  • Seattlite April 28, 2024 (7:42 am)

    Oh dear…Please help this little child find care and comfort.

  • Riverview April 28, 2024 (8:11 am)

    Can’t stop checking back to see that this little guy has found his family. I can’t imagine the terror of waking to find my baby gone! Holding them in my thoughts. Hoping for a quick reunion!! 

    • WSB April 28, 2024 (10:37 am)

      I’m sorry to say we have no updates and I’m not likely to be able to get one until the SPD media office reopens tomorrow (that’s one reason I asked for the case #). Also wanted to acknowledge whoever the people were who saw the child alone and helped him – TR

  • Sam April 28, 2024 (8:56 am)

    If the child is not speaking maybe the child is autistic or might speak a different language and just opened the door and wandering out of his house. I remember once finding a toddler running down the street in the rich Blue Ridge neighborhood and went to a door that was open and luckily the toddler lived there and the mom was clueless he had wandered out of the house and down the steps and was running down the street. Parents need to put an alarm on the door that goes off when it is open, maybe the police can recommend this adult who are in charge of the child that was found.

    • just wondering April 28, 2024 (1:38 pm)

      I once saw a little 2 year old run out onto the porch of his house bare naked and giggling, he knew he was where he shouldn’t be!  The house was next door to my in-laws in the Gatewood neighborhood.  I stayed on the sidewalk and kept talking to him until his mom came out just minutes later.  I saw his father a few years ago and the “little guy”  is now an engineer!  Hoping for a positive ending.

  • DBurns April 28, 2024 (9:33 am)

    Anxiously waiting to hear about a reunion. This is unbelievably sad and frightening. Please keep us posted! 

    • Woof April 28, 2024 (9:41 am)

       +1

  • Westside April 28, 2024 (10:07 am)

    Another idea:  children can run out of their homes when they are afraid. This is especially true in domestic violence situations.  Seems suspect that this child has not been reported missing , and would lead me to believe there may be some serious neglect / violence going on. I’m glad CPS is involved.. some children live  extremely dangerous and ugly lives that they endure day after day.. wishing that child a safe and happy home.  Sad. 

    • kt April 28, 2024 (12:09 pm)

      Unfortunately, since the legislature passed HB 1227, CPS involvement is far from an assurance that he will be removed from his parents care if this is a case of neglect on his parents’ part and not, as another poster suggested, his escaping after the parent suffered a medical event or something that would render them physically unable to care for the child.  Hope his family is located soon and he is able to have a safe and loving home to sleep in.  

      • Former foster mom April 28, 2024 (6:52 pm)

        I had the same thought. I also wondered about the 4+ hour lag time for a CPS worker to be available to pick the child up from the police? Have they totally cut the emergency workforce too for cases like this? Shaking my head a bit on this one.

        • kt April 28, 2024 (8:28 pm)

          It looks like it.  If you call Intake after hours you just get a recording and someone calls you back hours later.  Seems like nothing is being spared cuts at DCYF these days.  I really hope they were able to get him a bed to sleep in for the night.  It’s killing me thinking of how much time he probably had to spend sleeping at the police station.

  • Danimal April 28, 2024 (12:08 pm)

    This story got me. Read about it on FB as well. Poor kid, I hope he wasn’t abandoned by his family. Raises my hackles that nobody appears to have reported him missing. Sure hope this turns out to be a heartwarming story!

  • WSB April 28, 2024 (12:48 pm)

    For those checking, we have no update on this and are not likely to get one today but will be checking with the police media office as soon as they reopen tomorrow morning.

  • G April 28, 2024 (1:33 pm)

    Let’s not all assume the worst or make assumptions about the kids home life or type of housing.He might sleep walk or just let himself out. 

    • Griz April 28, 2024 (6:17 pm)

      I agree entirely.  Some not-so-subtle profiling going on that would not have dared been uttered had the kid been wandering around Broadmoor.  

  • Midi April 28, 2024 (9:43 pm)

    Such great news that the family was found, but how terrifying to come home from work and your child is missing

  • Suzanne April 28, 2024 (10:39 pm)

    Very relieved to see that the child’s family has been found. I’m sure his parents were devastated to learn that they can never again rely on this care provider. Thank goodness he’s safe. This little boy was very fortunate, thanks to WS neighbors. 

  • sam-c April 29, 2024 (8:06 am)

    Thank goodness the boy was reunited with his family!! Such a scary experience for everyone, I’m sure.    

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