Child Protective Services is currently investigating a situation that took place recently, where a hungry, unattended child was reported to authorities in Canton .

According to police reports, the little 5-year-old girl was seen wandering around in a mobile home park by herself. A concerned neighbor called the police, who were able to locate the child’s home, which they said was “filthy” and smelled of smoke and dog urine.

Also in the home was a malnourished dog whose ribs were said to be protruding. Officers spoke with the girl’s 36-year-old uncle, who was at home at the time. He told them that the child’s mother, his 30-year-old sister, was at work and that he was caring for her daughter until she returned home.

Because the child was hungry and had told police that she hadn’t eaten all day, officers asked the uncle about food for her. He said that she had eaten breakfast, but because she was a picky eater, she often didn’t eat again until her mother arrived home later in the day.

He also told the officer that she regularly goes outside alone and plays with other children in the area. This was of concern to the officers, as the mobile home park is located very near a busy intersection, and people are known for speeding through the area.

While the officers were speaking with the girl’s uncle, the mother arrived home. She told the investigating officers that she struggles financially, which prompted one of the police officers to purchase food for the family and flea medicine for the dog out of their own personal funds.

The officers on the scene contacted Child Protective Services, who are now conducting an investigation. In addition, officers issued a ticket to the child’s uncle for Contributing to the delinquency of a minor, which is a misdemeanor offense in Michigan.
As of now, the investigation is continuing into whether or not the girl is neglected or abused, but no charges have been brought against either adult involved. We will have to wait and see how this particular situation unfolds.