Albuquerque police find little girl on side of road at midnight

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Firefighters were on their way to a call in Albuquerque, New Mexico, around midnight Friday when they saw a little girl walking alone on the side of the road.

Tony Pittarelli, battalion commander for the Bernalillo County Fire Department, told KRQE that the girl, believed to be 3- or 4-years-old, was scared.

"She saw the lights of (the firefighters) responding to another call," Pittarelli said. "So the little girl tried to run away from them. Obviously, she was scared."

The firefighters stayed with the girl, identified as Unique, and reported it to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

Once police arrived, they said they tried to get as much information as they could from the girl, but she could not tell them who her parents are or what exactly happened to her because of her young age, according to Felicia Romero, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that police were able to contact Unique's family and interview them, but no arrests were made.

"After Unique was put to bed, she left the house without any adults knowing," Romero said. "The relative believed Unique had been picked up by her mother, as she often has been in the early morning."

Romero was told by the relative that they contacted police when they realized Unique was not picked up by her mother.

Police forwarded the case to the District Attorney's Office for review.

Romero said Unique will be in Children, Youth and Families Department custody until the investigation is done.

"We want to know the circumstances about why she was left alone and make sure she's not returning to a dangerous situation," Romero said. "Our number one concern is that (Unique) is safe and that she remains safe."

Cox Media Group