The missing mother of a toddler who wandered alone into a newsagent’s shop in Wigan has been arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child.
She is believed to be with the police while her son is being taken into the care of social services.
Police were called around 4.20pm on Friday after the boy, possibly aged around two or three years old, walked into C&L Oliver newsagent’s in Higher Ince in Wigan, on his own.
Police were called around 4.20pm on Friday after the boy, possibly aged around two or three years old, walked into C&L Oliver newsagent’s (pictured right) in Wigan, on his own
Staff there described how the toddler spoke few words but repeatedly said ‘mamma’.
A customer had raised the alarm after the boy walked into the store and police arrived around 30 minutes later.
Zohaid Arshad, 29, the shop’s owner, told the MEN: ‘He was OK. We gave him chocolate and a magazine and made sure he was OK. We looked after him and gave him anything he wanted.’
The boy was described as white with mousey brown hair. He was wearing a black tracksuit with grey trainers and a khaki green coat and blue bobble hat.
Police issued an urgent appeal to re-unite the boy with his parents or guardian.
He was at Wigan police station being cared for by staff after having a nap while officers concentrated their efforts on finding his parents.
Police later confirmed the mother had been located by officers and she has now been arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We have identified a parent and the boy is safe and doing well.
‘A woman has been arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child. She is currently being interviewed by officers.
‘Enquiries are ongoing to understand how the boy came to be on his own.’
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