Neighbor alerts authorities after toddler found wandering near busy street

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators are questioning the mother of a toddler who was found wandering close to a busy Orange County roadway Tuesday wearing nothing but a diaper.

The boy's mother was taken in for questioning after he was found outside a home along Hiawassee Road.

Authorities said they were called after the neighbor found the 2-year-old boy about 8 a.m.

The neighbor spotted the boy and a pit bull in the yard of the home and was concerned when he noticed the door of the home was wide open and the boy wandered out.

"Here I see this little guy with diapers on just waddling around," said neighbor Richard Hamacher. "I was looking for an adult to be nearby, but there wasn't."

Channel 9 learned the family living in the home may have been squatters, and deputies and the Department of Children and Families were called to the scene.

"I was frightened and I said, 'There is something wrong in that house,'" said another witness.

The toddler wasn't injured, but paramedics were called and took him to an area hospital as a precaution.

Code enforcement was also called to investigate the quality of the boy's living arrangements.

Now, deputies said they are looking into the possibility that the boy's parents were squatting, since the owner of the home died.

DCF is investigating and will decide if the boy should be released to his family or the state.

There's no word on whether the mother will face charges.

WFTV