5-YEAR-OLD WANDERS FROM HOME
POLICE TO TALK TO D.S.S.

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- A motorist driving down East Main Street on Tuesday morning made a startling discovery. The motorist called Lincolnton Police after discovering a five-year-old Hispanic boy wandering down the street about ready to cross East Main in heavy traffic.

The incident started around 6 a.m. Within seconds, officer Johnny Caudle was on the scene and took custody of the child. The child was discovered in front of the offices of Charter Communications.

"The motorist put the child in his van and held him until we arrived," said Caudle.

The next step, according to Caudle, was to find where the boy lived. Caudle knew it was close by.

The language barrier between child and officer wasn't a problem.

"He spoke really good English," said Caudle, adding the child lived on Dale Avenue.

Caudle kept asking the boy if the house they were passing was the boy's. Finally, front door open, Caudle found the boy's residence.

Caudle said the parents weren't at home; the child was being cared for by a sibling.

Caudle also said he plans to talk to the Lincoln County Dpeartment of Social Services about the case.

"It could have been a lot worse," said Caudle, "if it wasn't for that motorist. The traffic there that time of morning really starts getting heavy"

The incident remains under investigation.