Philadelphia

Parents of Wandering Child Can't Get Him Back

The toddler was found wandering alone in LOVE Park.

After a night of being overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, Philadelphia parents found out they cannot get their little boy back. Or their daughter. At least not yet.

DHS took custody of the children after the 2-year-old boy was found wandering in LOVE park late Friday, barefoot. The toddler was found by a SEPTA officer and taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Soon after, his parents called police to report he was missing.

Parents Angelique Roland, 27, and Michael Jones, 54, explained to police they'd been sleeping in the park that night because they were homeless. In order to regain custody of their children, the parents now have to show a Family Court judge they're stable enough to take good care of both kids and meet their basic needs. During their first hearing Tuesday, the judge decided the kids should not be returned to their parents yet, but Roland and Jones will be able to visit them twice a week. Their daughter is 4.

The homeless family's story inspired many offers of help. The support group, Chosen 300 Ministries, organized a benefit Monday night for the family and raised more than $12,000 to help them pay for a year of housing.  

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