Alexandria, Va. - At present, the abandoned child who was located last night on South Van Dorn Street is safe and doing well in the custody of Alexandria DCHS Child Welfare Services. Detectives with the Alexandria Police Department and social workers of Alexandria DCHS Child Protective Services are currently meeting with members of the family who are assisting with the ongoing joint investigation. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. If you have any information regarding this incident please call 703-746-4444. Tips will remain anonymous.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. last night, officers were dispatched to a call regarding witnesses who had observed a man drop off a young child in front of 8 South Van Dorn Street. Upon arrival, officers located the little girl believed to be between one and two years old, dressed in warm clothing, and in apparent good health. Nobody in the area reported knowing the child or who she may belong to. Detectives were called to the scene and Alexandria Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified.
Detectives have located possible video of the vehicle that was used by the person who left the child and are working to identify it and its owner, and they are in communication with appropriate agencies looking into any reported missing children that could be related.
City of Alexandria officials are reminding the public to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Residents may call the City of Alexandria Child Protective Services (CPS) at 703-746-5800 24 hours a day, or the Virginia hotline at 1-800-552-7096. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Callers have the option of remaining anonymous.
Due to the confidential nature of child and family information in a CPS investigation, and Virginia laws governing the release of such information, CPS is unable to provide comments. With every family involved with CPS, the safety and well-being of children is of paramount importance.
For more information contact:
Tracy Walker, APD Communications Manager, tracy.walker@alexandriava.gov