Neglected: Missing Autistic Boy Found, in Florida
By Rachel Forshee
A boy with autism was found wandering a street in Port St. Lucie, Florida. which led to the arrest of his parents for neglect.
Picture by AndyLawson / Flickr
Investigators say a neighbor discovered the 5-year-old in the road. The front door to his home was open so she called 911.
Police arrived at the home of Nelson Vasquez and his wife Karla. Police said the home was dirty and in disarray. They also found three other children in the home – two 4-year-old girls and a 10-year-old boy.
The 10-year-old said he did not know where his parents were or when they would return. There was no phone inside, according to police.
They also noted that the autistic child repeatedly kicked and punched his older brother.
Police say the parents arrived after more than an hour of being on scene.
Mr. Vasquez said he and his wife Karla went to a drug store then stopped at a garage sale.
Police arrested the couple and charged them child neglect.
Department of Children and Families investigators took the children into protective custody.
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