In a shocking discovery, law enforcement officers uncovered two young children abandoned inside a car deep within a wooded area earlier this week. The incident, captured on an officer’s body camera, has raised serious concerns about child welfare and sparked a full-scale investigation.
According to police, deputies responded to a call on the afternoon of February 16, 2024, after a tip alerted them to a suspicious, unattended vehicle hidden in the forest. Upon arrival, officers found a black car parked off a dirt trail. Inside the vehicle, they discovered two children—both under the age of five—alone, frightened, and visibly shaken.
Footage from the body camera shows a deputy gently reaching into the vehicle, speaking calmly to reassure the children before safely removing them. The car appeared to be inoperable, and there was no adult in sight when officers arrived.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” said a spokesperson from the [Local County Sheriff’s Department]. “These children were left completely alone in a dangerous, isolated area. It’s a miracle they were found in time.”
Authorities confirmed the children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation and are now in the care of child protective services. The investigation is ongoing as officers work to identify the parents or guardians responsible for the abandonment.
Community leaders and child advocacy groups are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“No child should ever experience something like this,” said [Name], a representative from [Child Advocacy Organization]. “We’re grateful to the officers who responded swiftly and compassionately.”
The sheriff’s department has asked anyone with tips or information related to this case to contact them directly.