Parents of wandering child may face charges

BOGER CITY -- The Carolina Scoop learned Tuesday night the parents of a five-year-old boy wandering the streets of Boger City early Tuesday morning may face neglect charges, pending the outcome of a Lincoln County Department of Social Services investigation. A witness said it was a typical morning commute on the busiest street in Boger City when suddenly drivers jammed on their brakes to miss a defenseless little boy.

The 5-year-old had wandered away from his home blocks away from Dale Avenue and Main Street at about 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Chris Nichols was on his way to work.

"He just darted right out into the middle of traffic," he said. "Cars were having to stop and slam on breaks to avoid hitting him."

Nichols got out of his van, grabbed the little boy and held him until police arrived.

"He was real scared. He was crying. He kept saying his mom and dad and brothers and sisters are gone," Nichols said.

The boy's father said he worked third shift Monday night and his wife was called into work at 3 a.m. The little boy was left sleeping with his 12-year-old sister at home. The father said the boy woke, didn't see his parents and thought he was home alone. He started walking toward his aunt's house, but to get there he had to cross Main Street.

Police said when they got there the boy couldn't tell them how to get him back home. Sgt. John Caudle put the boy in his car and they drove down Dale Avenue stopping at each house.
"I asked, 'Is this your house? Is this your house?' And finally we came to one with the front door wide open and he said it was his house," Caudle said.

When he saw the 12-year-old girl at home, Caudle decided to call social workers. He said he worried not just about the traffic, but that anyone could have picked the child up and disappeared. He said he will wait until the conclusion of the Department of Social Services investigation to determine if the boy's parents should face neglect charges.

"It could have turned out worse if it wasn't for that motorist," said Caudle.